grinding down distributor to adjust timing???
#17
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: redwood city/ modesto
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I just want my 4.0 to perform as best as it can right now.
Its stock right now but im going to uprage to tje newer style intake mani. And i have 703's injectors on it right now. What junkyard parts will help me for this??? Im 16 so i dont have alot of mony.
Its stock right now but im going to uprage to tje newer style intake mani. And i have 703's injectors on it right now. What junkyard parts will help me for this??? Im 16 so i dont have alot of mony.
#18
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
I didn't mean to start a , I was just trying to help a guy out, its a valid question that I asked a while back. I agree though, some people still think you can just crank the dizzy around to adjust timing. It took me about two nights of searching and reading to put all the pieces together on how the cam postion sensor, CPS, ECU, knock sensor and dizzy affect timing.
That will adjust the timing for maybe a few seconds, but once the ECU processes that the timing isn't where IT wants it to be, it will either retard or advance it to stock settings. Its not a normal dizzy, I had to put aside everything I knew about timing when learning how this system works.
That will adjust the timing for maybe a few seconds, but once the ECU processes that the timing isn't where IT wants it to be, it will either retard or advance it to stock settings. Its not a normal dizzy, I had to put aside everything I knew about timing when learning how this system works.
#20
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,612
Likes: 0
From: West Valley
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I didn't mean to start a , I was just trying to help a guy out, its a valid question that I asked a while back. I agree though, some people still think you can just crank the dizzy around to adjust timing. It took me about two nights of searching and reading to put all the pieces together on how the cam postion sensor, CPS, ECU, knock sensor and dizzy affect timing.
That will adjust the timing for maybe a few seconds, but once the ECU processes that the timing isn't where IT wants it to be, it will either retard or advance it to stock settings. Its not a normal dizzy, I had to put aside everything I knew about timing when learning how this system works.
That will adjust the timing for maybe a few seconds, but once the ECU processes that the timing isn't where IT wants it to be, it will either retard or advance it to stock settings. Its not a normal dizzy, I had to put aside everything I knew about timing when learning how this system works.
#21
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,612
Likes: 0
From: West Valley
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Perhaps I'm failing to think outside of the box, but, would'nt manipulating the distributor cap not just be a means of bypassing a problem rather than actually fixing the underlying problem? It's my understanding that timing is controlled by the ecu. By modifying the cap you would be doing nothing more than masking the real problem would'nt you?
#22
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
If you want better performance and your on a budget, do a search for "budget XJ upgrades" Theres a ton out there. Also theres tons of JY mods you can do too. Everything from suspension lifts, to cooling and electric fan upgrades, to injector upgrades to name a few. googles your friend. We're more than willing to help you out, just look for the answers first.
#25
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Perhaps I'm failing to think outside of the box, but, would'nt manipulating the distributor cap not just be a means of bypassing a problem rather than actually fixing the underlying problem? It's my understanding that timing is controlled by the ecu. By modifying the cap you would be doing nothing more than masking the real problem would'nt you?
The ECU is still going to fire the spark when it wants to, so if the cap is turn forward or back, its just going to make the spark jump further reducing its effectiveness at the plug due to a weak spark. You also run into the possibility of cross fires due to ionization in the cap(spark scatter). Thats why caps have a vent, but when the spark is exposed to more air, the more ionization occurs. Not to mention, how many caps is the average joe gonna f-up in the process of slotting the holes..
#26
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 1
From: cape cod ma.
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 i6
instead of creating a spark through grounding through the plugs it fires if its ready or not and will just jump to its shortest distance to ground.. correct?
#27
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
No worries, like I said, I was beating my head on the keyboard for two nights trying to make heads and tails on how this system works. In the end I realized its really really stubborn and really set in it ways. Thats why I'm getting rid of it.
#28
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Possibly, but I don't think the stock system put out enough volts to jump to the dizzy body...another reason why I'm going to a duraspark setup...the 65K volt upgrade!
#29
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 1
From: cape cod ma.
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 i6
see this is class now... i get a coil pack type ignition and an electronic distributor type ignition as well dare i say points...this seems to be somewhere between
#30
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l