Distributor rotor play
04-03-2021, 12:39 PM
#1
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Distributor rotor play
Should there be any distributor rotor play either rotationally or side to side? Or should it be totally solid and not move when pushed. Engine is idling ROUGH and got a P1391 code. Already replaced crank pos sensor and think the cam position sensor could be bad. Or rotor could be messed up. Thoughts?
YIJ,
JCCherokee
YIJ,
JCCherokee
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superj (04-09-2021)
04-09-2021, 01:16 PM
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04-09-2021, 05:13 PM
#5
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It’s my understanding that it’s not an issue because the rotation of the distributor shaft is the centrifugal advance and a slight amount of play in the shaft side to side is fairly normal as well.
Unless you can link me something that says there should be absolutely no movement whatsoever, or I start having issues again. I’m going to assume I’m okay.
Unless you can link me something that says there should be absolutely no movement whatsoever, or I start having issues again. I’m going to assume I’m okay.
04-09-2021, 09:23 PM
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Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Too much play in the rotor shaft will wipe out your cam sensor.
04-09-2021, 09:46 PM
#7
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04-10-2021, 04:31 AM
#8
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It’s my understanding that it’s not an issue because the rotation of the distributor shaft is the centrifugal advance and a slight amount of play in the shaft side to side is fairly normal as well.
Unless you can link me something that says there should be absolutely no movement whatsoever, or I start having issues again. I’m going to assume I’m okay.
Unless you can link me something that says there should be absolutely no movement whatsoever, or I start having issues again. I’m going to assume I’m okay.
A few years back when searching for gremlins I took a bit of slop out of my just purchased rebuilt dizzy by adding shim washers , cant remember the company that sold them. Made me feel better but not sure it was a good idea or that gained much from it.
Crank and Cam sensors ..Its been demonstrated and proven that anything but Mopar is inferior for these 2 critical sensors to your ignition. The hall effect magnets are proven to be much stronger on Mopar meaning better stronger signals.
Last edited by 97grand4.0; 04-10-2021 at 04:36 AM.
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BlueRidgeMark (04-10-2021)
04-10-2021, 01:35 PM
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Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
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Engine: 4.0
I don't know what the specs are, but 1/16" of slop sounds pretty bad to me.
04-10-2021, 02:08 PM
#10
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Meanwhile I just welded my two rear UCA arm brackets back to whats left of the frame. Might lessen the noise a little. In the process I got a nasty spider bite on the elbow this morning. Benedryl and caffeine.
Last edited by 97grand4.0; 04-10-2021 at 02:12 PM.
04-10-2021, 07:39 PM
#11
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Thanks for the advice guys. I’m j gonna run it till I can afford a new distributor. Also, any good install vids on how to do so. I understand you have to get it lined up the right way.
04-10-2021, 07:46 PM
#12
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
there is a bush in there that is known to wear.
One of our guys took everything apart and fitted a grease nipple somehow
made a good writeup with pics as well, if I find it, will add a link
One of our guys took everything apart and fitted a grease nipple somehow
made a good writeup with pics as well, if I find it, will add a link
04-10-2021, 10:01 PM
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Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
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Engine: 4.0
Did a little searching. From what I saw, your dizzy is shot.
https://forums.ihpartsamerica.com/th...will-a-rebuild -fix-side-to-side-play-in-my-distributor.7543/
These guys say NO PLAY: http://www.clubhotrod.com/shop-talk/...or-normal.html
Same here: https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...d-down.140593/
And here: https://www.s10forum.com/threads/dis...w-much.489162/
It has a lot of up & down play, but also a lot of side to side play. Iirc it was more than 0.006. If I move the shaft up, there is no side to side movement. But, of course, it won't stay up.
I took it to a mechanic. He leaned out the carb to get it to run better, but when he saw the side to side play, he said I needed a new distributor.
I took it to a mechanic. He leaned out the carb to get it to run better, but when he saw the side to side play, he said I needed a new distributor.
These guys say NO PLAY: http://www.clubhotrod.com/shop-talk/...or-normal.html
Same here: https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...d-down.140593/
And here: https://www.s10forum.com/threads/dis...w-much.489162/
04-11-2021, 04:51 PM
#14
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Did a little searching. From what I saw, your dizzy is shot.
https://forums.ihpartsamerica.com/th...will-a-rebuild -fix-side-to-side-play-in-my-distributor.7543/
These guys say NO PLAY: http://www.clubhotrod.com/shop-talk/...or-normal.html
Same here: https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...d-down.140593/
And here: https://www.s10forum.com/threads/dis...w-much.489162/
https://forums.ihpartsamerica.com/th...will-a-rebuild -fix-side-to-side-play-in-my-distributor.7543/
These guys say NO PLAY: http://www.clubhotrod.com/shop-talk/...or-normal.html
Same here: https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...d-down.140593/
And here: https://www.s10forum.com/threads/dis...w-much.489162/
I used the one from Advanced was fairly inexpensive under $50. But you do have to change out that inferior cam sensor or 'switch plate' as they called it, for a MOPAR
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