Hey all, first off let me just say ive been a long time lurker but this is my first time posting! This forum has helped me with a lot of problems but this problem I have now takes the cake.


I recently put a different motor in my brothers 1998 jeep Cherokee as the old one was bad. This is supposed to be a surprise when he comes back from Kuwait this decemeber after serving his final tour with the Army (pretty stoked to have him come back) but anyways I bought a motor that was out of a 93' Cherokee. Came home and began the process of taking the old out and putting the new to me back in. Well finally ive began hooking it up and for some reason im not getting spark anywhere.



Im really confused at several points. Here is a list of things that have been done.
-New ignition coil
-New plugs
-New wires


now ive done a TON of research the past few weeks and cant find anything. My guess is it is related to either the crankshaft sensor or the camshaft sensor in the distributor.

Now heres where it gets weird. I don't think I have the right sensor connector for the camshaft hook up from the distributor. (see picture below)


Now i would understand that lack of this connection might be preventing spark. BUT there's another problem as well! It appears that there is no spot in my wiring harness for a crankshaft sensor that attaches to the bell housing. Unless im a complete idiot (and sometimes i am ) i just cant find it for the life of me


So really any tips of help would really be appreciative over on my end. I really want to get this thing up and running for when he comes back.


Thanks in advance guys
-Mike


P.S. - For all you motorheads out there ive included a recent shot of the 454 big block that ive rebuilt from the ground up. A little motor **** never hurts every now and then

 

You're going to need a 1998 distributor and cam sensor (from the old motor). '93 distributor and cam sensor is not compatible with the '98 harness.

 

You need to re-use all of the sensors from the 98 and you need to put the 98 flexplate on the new motor as well. the "Windows" for the crank sensor are different.
Keep in mind that the 93 is an OBD1 motor, the 98 is OBD II.

 

Seriously, I think he already installed the engine. Hope he did the flexplate.

 

okay, so some upodates


changed the camshaft sensor in the distributor cap and installed a new crankshaft positioning sensor.


went to crank over and finally got spark, however i think the timing is off. is there anyway to set base timing?


i didn't see any hint of evident of a timing mark on the crankshaft pulley


-mike

 

Timing is not adjustable. It is comtroled by the PCM.

See post #15 of the following thread:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/col...e-4-0-a-23233/

 

Which flex plate did you use?

 

Sweet Mercruiser engine. What kind of boat is it going in?

 

Ok thanks I'll take a look and just pick away at what could be going on!

To end confusion I put the flex plate from the 98 motor on so it is the correct year flex plate

Thanks!! I've put countless hours into that thing, let's just say it's built pretty well and it's going into a 25' sea ray express cruiser. Our boat suffered some damage during hurricane sandy and in finally getting around to fixing it!