What about the older Amc 4.0s? I'm running in to a similar problem. I have a 89 Comanche without a engine. But I found a 96 engine for it out of a regular Cherokee. Problem is I've installed it swapped intake manifolds and distributers but it doesn't crank. It's getting gas, fire, and has new plugs. What's the problem? Also I know I'll have to replace the heads later on but it should fire off right? All sensors are back to 89 including the crank. I'm also running a 89 flywheel on it.

 

doesn't turn over or doesn't start?


if it doesn't turn over, clean your electrical connections and double check the starter solenoid to starter relay wire to make sure it's connected. after that I'd be replacing a starter relay.

if it doesn't start, but kinda sputters, I'd say you have the distributor off one or more teeth, meaning it's not igniting cylinder #1 just before TDC like it should be. that said, you could also have your firing order mixed up (spark plug wires connected wrong).


and the "later on" swap for the head is more like "do it now or it won't run very well" because the ports don't line up very well.

 

It does turn over, it's getting fire from the coil and I'm still running the 89 computer. The distributer is the 89, the intake is an 87. As you probably already know they're the same in 89 and 87. I've swapped the wires all the way around the distributer cap and still have no luck. The 96 engne does run but what else can be the problem? Also I've clocked the distributer as many times as it will let me. Is this a common problem when running the ho block with non ho intakes and heads? Has it been done before? Also is there anyone who can walk me throgh the entire process so that I don't miss anything? Thanks for all the help my fellow jeepers. May all have happy trail rides!

 

I haven't done it before...hopefully someone who has will step in.

I'm gonna bow out of this thread, I really don't have any more tech to give on it since I don't have any experience doing a hybrid H.O./renix setup.