500 MJ

So this is what I found with the cut-away cap test... #1 cylinder is at (or slightly beyond) TDC. I watched the piston rise with a flashlight and turned the crank just beyond the stopping point for the piston's rise. I only had time to play with this last night, I have not tried anything else... I will have lots of time on Saturday to mess with this.

Thanks for all the info everyone. I wanted to let you know that I won't be able to work on this for the rest of the week. It'll probably be the weekend after Labor Day before I get back to messing with it. I will update again then. Thanks Again - Brent

Thanks for the tips on the cut-away distributor cap. I have some extras around that will work great to hack up and try this with. Yes. The entire engine bay and harness were cleaned when the motor was out. Di-electric grease was used when these wires were bolted back down to the block with the NEW 2 gauge battery cables. Yep, this is vac line is all hooked up. New WIX fuel filter was installed when I installed the new gas tank.

I can get one, yes. I was really thinking that it might be something to do with timing but I've never heard of the timing as being something adjustable... I had the dizzy out when I cleaned the block off and a friend and I rotated the assembly to TDC on #1 and put it back in and it has been there ever since... With the un-burnt fuel and lack of power, to me it acts like the timing is off. When I get on the throttle the thing backfires a bit, new exhaust pipe is already black on the inside from running rich for about 3 miles...

Thanks Correy, I'll check it.

I've been spending my free time for the last year and a half on a labor of love that is a '90 XJ. The body on it is in great shape, the main reason why I am wasting my time on it. I bought it with a bad motor and have since swapped in a good motor from an '88 that I bought for parts. The '88 was wrecked, I was able to get the motor running very good before I pulled it from the rest of the smashed carcass. After having the motor on a stand, I was able to look it all over and it is in very good shape... I've gotten everything back together in the '90 and have been driving it around the yard for the last month or so. It has been idling quite rough but I had attributed this to the vacuum lines not being hooked up. I hooked them all up yesterday and much to my disappointment it still has a rough idle. I made sure that the Throttle body and IAC were clean and this didn't help. I ran it down the road for a few miles and it just has no power to speak of. Its having a hard time getting to overdrive and I can only get it to go to 40-45 MPH top speed. I've played with the kickdown cable and it seems to have no effect. I've checked the sensors, especially the O2, and everything seems good there. The transmission is good, it is not slipping. After running it down the road and getting back to the garage, I could smell the un-burnt gas in the exhaust. I had the distributor out while I had the engine out. From what I know, the timing is either on or off, no adjustment, right? I went all through this thing when it was apart, I'm sure that it is something that I forgot to hook-up but after checking it all over I can't find anything unplugged. Even with everything I've done to my MJ's, I've never been here with a Renix before, Any thoughts on what to check? Thanks in Advance! '90 XJ Laredo - 4.0L/AW4/NP242

It's not hard to change the oil on a HOT engine and not get any on you at all. Back the plug out until its off of the threads and a few drips are coming out, then in one motion pull your wrench and the plug away and watch it flow. I usually don't try to change it hot but I do think it is important to get the oil hot and well mixed before the change. I try to drive 15-20 miles before and then bring it home and right onto the ramps it goes. Wait 15-30 minutes and then pull the plug. Part of the reason for this is that I hate having a hot exhaust pipe right next to my arms... Everyone I respect has told me to change oil when its warm or hot. I value their lifelong experience in the matter and will continue to do so when the oil is warm... I still do respect you Jim :chillin: As for oil change places, I can ramble for a LONG time on that... I don't care how much it costs, I'm still doing it myself.

I helped pull the 2wd AX-15 from this truck. It is still sitting on my shelf for a future trans for my 2wd MJ AW4 to AX-15 swap. I have the matching driveshaft for it as well. I guess I'm just vouching that the truck originally was 2wd...

No pics. Didn't take any, not enough time to waste it on such a task. I may be able to source a few shots that other people took...

Had a blast, as always. All you suckers missed out.

Do you have any good pics of how you did the fender flares? Thanks in advance!

http://www.diyfiero.com/dropspot/Jazzma ... ebuild.pdf Here's some info on it. Go to page 51. I think you probably installed the sensor with the key in? It sounds like its doing the reverse of how it should operate. Aha - Yes, the key was probably in the column when it went back together. Learn something everyday. Thanks!

3 days :banana:

October is pretty open here...

Cannot come. Business trip that weekend to Chitcargo.

Is the "key presence sensor" that white plastic and copper contact thing? I am having troubles with the tilt column that I changed out the lock cylinder on. The chime goes off when you take the key out, NOT when you leave the key in as it should...my horn also sticks ON, but I think that is a separate issue - disconnected the horns for now... Also, I've since bought a Craftsman lock ring compressor tool to make this process easier. It works REALLY well, lock ring removal is almost fun now! No more picks and tiny screwdrivers wedged in there, you just need them to unseat the ring now and slide it up the tool, everything backs off very nicely and un-compresses slowly and safely.

:drool:

As rare as these are, fix it up and drive it as is! Is not having the title the issue? I am finishing off an XJ that we bought last year. It was towed, no title, but the towing guy had all the paperwork needed for me to get a new title. I sent the papers in and the replacement clean title showed up a few weeks later. This one is in damn good shape compared to the ones I have seen!

Get a copy of this - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=35977 Might help with frame repairs!

Awesome.

The paint looks like it lays on there good, I give you props for doing it the right way. :thumbsup: Like most, the color combo doesn't excite me though and I'm anal enough to see that the decal on the driver's door doesn't line up with the body lines... :peek:

Thanks for the copy, I got it awhile ago in the mail and forgot to say something :dunce:

Congrats - Well deserved!

Or behind the grille? My Dad used to use window screen (for front porches and storm doors) and attach it with sticky velcro behind the grille to keep bugs from getting in the radiator. Worked really good.

This is GREAT!