The 258 is a tough engine, Most of the time with backfires/ coughing/ sneezing/ and spitting the only things I see that may occur are vacuum lines/ vacuum caps sometimes get blown off of their nipple/ connection.
Measure/ mark the distributor's relation with the engine. So it can be put back if it were moved.
Let's try loosening the distributor hold down clamp enough where the distributor will move (but still be sorta tight).
Have you buddy crank it,
You move the distributor slightly either way (maybe in inch [per say] ) while it's cranking. Does it start? Will it run well enough to time it with a light?
NO GO?
Before we can attack another problem we have to be PERFECT where we are at now!
Might be a review, but we have to be certain TDC is TDC!
Unscrew #1 plug, leave it in, hanging on 2 threads or so.
INSURE THE KEY IS OFF! Out of gear.
Slowly rotate the engine clockwise (viewed from the front) with a wrench or ratchet. This could take up to two crankshaft revolutions (being a 4 stroke engine)
When you hear a HISS from #1 plug loose in it's hole (not other low hissing from the pistons), stop for a second! We are now starting on the compression stroke of #1
Look at the timing mark on the harmonic balancer- look at "0" on your timing cover.
You will continue around (which is gonna be less than 1/2 a stroke-maybe even way less!) Until the timing mark is on "0"
The engine is at TDC!
Now look to see if your rotor button is indeed facing the #1 tower (where #1 wire is).
If all is like this, we are in good shape with TDC.
I took one of your pics and tried to see if you had the wire sequence correct.
It's hard to see some of 'em (your modified pic is below)
Sequence should be 1-5-3-6-2-4 clockwise on the cap (button pointing at #1)
Sorry!
Not saying you are dumb or nuthin'!
Just that so many times you spend forever with a Jeep down, running thru a million possibilities only to find out it was something in the beginning taken for granted/ 'specially when you are tired and not checking behind yourself.
Just wanna be absolutely sure at this point!
Nuthin' will work right if this ain't right!
Try what I suggested, recheck your work!
We will move on after you verify TDC is dead on!
Your turn,
The Medic
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Sunday, September 24th, 2017 AT 6:59 PM