I have a 97 cherokee with a 4.0. I did the engine and did some mods to it, I put a bigger cam in and a high volume oil pump. I drove it for a year now and the other day it wouldn't start after looking into it I found the distributor broke where its held down to the block. I thought it might have just been from the bolt being lose so I just replaced it with a new distributor and it ran for 5 min then broke the ears off the new one. Anyone have this problem or know why it would be doing this?

 

Does the distributor sit flush to the block?

The distributor and cam gear that drives it look good?

 

Yeah it does and they look fine to me

 

There have been cases where a high volume oil pump puts too much strain on the distributor or OPD and nukes it. This usually happens with the 2000/01 OPD but I think it could happen to a distributor as well.


Just food for thought.

 

There is a problem I had with a replacement dizzy one time. The tang on the bottom of the dizzy was pushing down on the the oil pump binding it, Not a lot. I ground down the dizzy tang and all is good.

You using a gasket under the dizzy? I don't. I use an O-ring instead. That may help if the tang is an issue also. A little tip here. Rather than use a dizzy gasket, use an o ring instead. NAPA #727-2024.

The bottom of the tang should have no wear marks on it.

 

I don't see wear on it. Sound there be a bracket that holds the ears down on the distributor?

 

Not sure I get your question.

 

Yes. Without it the distributor will break.


It can be (just barely) seen in this pic.


Get one from the junk yard.

 

Duly stolen. Thanks Ken.

 

I need to get a better pic of the hold down clamp.


Too many folks are leaving it off/out and nuking their distributor.

 

This better?

 

Suggest moving it over to the left and add an arrow pointing at it.

 

Here ..for everyone to use

 

Perfect - stolen.