Posts Tagged CJ Jeep
What is ignition timing?
Apr 29
Distributor/Oil Pump assembly
Ignition timing – what it is and how to set it – often eludes most Jeep owners. Here we hope to shed some light on this commonly misunderstood subject.
Internal combustion engines rely on spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Ignition timing is simply the process of setting the time that a spark will occur in your engine’s combustion chamber. When the spark occurs is relative to the position of the pistons and crankshaft.
If the spark occurs too soon, the rapidly expanding air-fuel mixture will push against the piston causing lost power. If the spark occurs too late, maximum cylinder pressure will occur after the piston has traveled down the cylinder, causing high emissions and unburned fuel.
So, your engine cannot operate properly if the timing is incorrect. Incorrect engine timing will result in loss of engine power, decreased fuel economy and if the problem persists long enough it could eventually lead to engine damage.
Jeeps have mechanical ignition systems which makes it pretty easy to set the timing yourself without the use of any special equipment. Mechanical ignition systems use a mechanical spark distributor (distributor cap) to send a high voltage current to the correct plug at the correct time.
Distributor in its native habitat.
If your distributor gets removed or replaced you should be able to get it back in time easily. However, in classic Jeeps the distributors are run off the bottom of the oil pump. So, if your oil pump is ever removed or replaced and the gear that runs the distributor isn’t aligned correctly the timing will be thrown off. This is a common cause of timing issues with your Jeep!
Coming soon, new video – how to set the timing on your Jeep!
1958 Jeep Forward Control, Christopher Ziemnowicz
So you’re looking for a new project? The decision to restore or preserve a classic Jeep can be a very fun and rewarding one. The question we get asked most often is how to pick “the one.” When searching for the perfect Jeep restoration project, keep in mind that not all Jeep parts are readily available. This is true for both replacement and reproduction parts. For instance, Jeep forward control trucks are extremely rare and unusual, making them a prize to collectors. Throughout their nine years in production, about 30,000 Jeep forward control trucks were actually sold. It’s unknown how many remain today, but what is known is that parts for these exotic vehicles are scarce, if not completely unavailable. If you decide to restore a similar vehicle, be prepared to spend a lot of extra time and money searching for and possibly restoring these parts yourself.
To be sure you’re making the right decision on your Jeep restoration project, ask yourself what drives you to complete it. Do you view your project as an investment, or is it more like a hobby for your own enjoyment? If your project is an investment, the rarer the Jeep, the more money it’s usually worth. If your project is a hobby, the more common vehicles (like CJ series Jeeps) may be fun and easy. However, their resale value will almost never match what you originally spent. Finding the balance between hobby and investment will mean the difference between a fun project and a potentially frustrating one.
In preparing to commit to a vehicle, you will want your candidate to offer a balance between condition and price. Starting off with the best possible quality will definitely make your project easier and more enjoyable. When evaluating a restoration prospect, there are a number of general items that you should verify in order to make the most informed decision possible.
Take an inventory of the vehicle – what’s there and what isn’t? Does it start and drive? What obviously needs to be repaired?
What will need to be prepared in order for the vehicle to run and drive?
1957 Willys Pick-Up, David Monniaux
Spend some time behind the wheel. Does everything electrical work? Are there any unusual noises, shakes or vibrations when driving the vehicle? Is there any smoke or strange odors coming from the engine or the tail pipe? Are the fluids topped off and fresh? These are some of the primary items you should get a gauge of during your initial inspection of your project.
If you plan on driving your Jeep during its restoration and working on it over time, you should only consider a Jeep that is mechanically complete and as rust and corrosion free as possible. On the other hand, if you plan to strip your Jeep down to the frame, any part is fair game for replacement. This makes it easier to deal with a high level of corrosion or mechanical issues.
Now you’ve had a crash course on what to look for in your Jeep restoration project. Get out there, and have fun with it! Happy Restoring!
With over 16,000 sq feet, over 10,000 items in-stock and over 30 years in the business - we've earned our status as the world-wide premier replicator and retailer of Willys Jeep parts and as the most dedicated Jeep restoration experts you'll find. Since we cut out the middleman and reproduce and reclaim most parts ourselves, you always get the lowest possible price on your parts.
