Ignition

You may have a broken or almost broken wire to the module or distributor.

Is this Prestolite "crapola" ignition?

I can help you upgrade reasonably, if your Jeep is a keeper!

I answer most of the CJ 5's and 7's.

Your turn.

The Medic

We are looking at less than $100.00, upgrade to 1979 on up.

A 232-258 basically the same thing on the outside

I will tell you exactly what to get, if interested.

My number one Jeep is a 1977 too, after four modules and three distributors, I decided it was time to upgrade up to what my previous 1979 had in it. This issue always occurred at the worst possible times!

Can you butt-splice wires (correctly)?

Do you have a voltmeter, can you check DC voltage with it?

I suggest you by the two main ingredients, as we want it to be reliable (I will tell you exactly what/where to get a distributor and ignition module!).

Do you have access to a auto parts salvage yard? I prefer self serve type. Must have a variety of 1980's on back, Fords (Jeeps are scarce). Just need a few wires with connectors off of them. Probably will just givethem to you!

If this sounds hard, it really is not!

I will talk you through changing the Distributor the easy way, so do not jump ahead, or it will get complicated.

I will show you what wires need to connect, the works!

Are you able to adjust timing, and have the proper meters?

Do you have a repair manual? If so, cover title?

Are you game?

Below is my old Presto distributor, now modified into a oil primer for rebuilt engines. You will see my upgrade to Motorcraft, ignition (1979 Jeep), my four bbl intake and carburetor other good stuff.

The problem with Prestolite is the wires are little "solid" copper wires going into the distributor, no matter how well you tie them up and support them they vibrate and break.Living example now typing to you! Motorcraft uses stranded wire, I think it is 18 gauge.

The other problem it has is the darn "Bellows" contained in the white plastic (this is how the advance operates) will also split/ break/ get a hole in it. No timing advance and vacuum leak all in one shot. You will not know it until, you experiment with your timing gun, and see it does not advance!

Modules seem to go bad more often too.

The problem with the "one wire" distributors is it will not work with the "resistance wire" (normally feeding the coil) from the ignition switch--Full 12 volts must feed the new , and you must tie in a regular wire in behind the "splice" where the resistance sire, comes into being (basically replace or make a "twin", for the "RW" out of regular old wire to be the new "key feed".

You are really not gonna gain much, just because you are wanting to use the "in thing" A "high speed, low drag" aftermarket coil on the Motorcraft system, will be super, and you will see no giant leaps in performance, which ever way you go.

This is what I found, nothing wrong with re-manufactured parts, it has a lifetime warranty too.

Check this out:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Cardone-Reman-Distributor/1979-Jeep-CJ7/_/N-imcptZ93xku?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=distributor&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=768895_76774_0_

Lifetime warranty on this too.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Duralast-Ignition-Control-Module/1979-Jeep-CJ7/_/N-imcptZ9ci7x?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=ignition+module&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=118422_300759_5526_

A few salvage yard wires w/ connectors, Butt splices, and you are in business!

As far as the distributor swap I can explain that really easy, so that you will not have to go through the "find TDC on the compression stroke" process. I can make the swap easy, if you will not move it/remove it, until I explain.

As for tuning stuff you will need (mainly to set idle speed and get timing back to specs this kit is available at "Harbor Freight" for less than $40.00.

Investigate the site. then investigate CJ5 and 7 forums.

.

The Medic

I am guessing you have a pre-1979 CJ?

You want to convert to Motorcraft, as in a 1979?

This is what we need to do first of all.

It is sort of frowned upon (by the big guys) to answer another question on someone else's post.

It is fine that jumped on looking for information! If you like, I will be glad to aid you!

What you need to do is submit a new question of your own. Here's the link to speed things up! (or go to the Home Page)

https://www.2carpros.com/

When you get to the prompt "Give a subject to your question". If you specifically want my assistance ask for me there (ex. "CJ MEDEVAC can you help me with my ignition?"). Otherwise it may get scooped up off the list by another expert and I will not see it.

The biggest reason for a separate question is that when someone else jumps on 2carpros looking for help in the forums "Search" cannot find information mixed in on another post. Your fix may be their fix, but unable to find it!

Looking forward to getting your Jeep squared away!

The Medic