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Mar 17, 2019 | 08:00 AM

ssgcoleman1

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Dec 2018

Posts: 15

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Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Timing Chain

Here is a picture of it.
Can someone show me the timing marks for a 99 Cherokee 4.0. I got the 1 cylinder at TDC on compression stroke and both the cam and crank are opposite of each other. The crank is lining up as it should per images I have seen of what correct looks like. But the cam mark is 180 degrees from the crank mark. I am seeing that they should point at each other but my are not. If you had an imaginary line going through the assembly it would be in line. What is the deal with the 15 pin count? Help please.

Last edited by ssgcoleman1; Mar 17, 2019 at 08:05 AM. Reason: Photo added

Mar 17, 2019 | 08:16 AM

00t444e

CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 3,636

Likes: 469

From: Southern OH

Year: 1997

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: 4.0

What exactly are you trying to do? If you want to change the timing chain and gears you rotate it to where the mark on the top gear is at the bottom and lined up with the mark on the bottom gear.

Mar 17, 2019 | 08:44 AM

ssgcoleman1

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Dec 2018

Posts: 15

Likes: 0

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00t444e

What exactly are you trying to do? If you want to change the timing chain and gears you rotate it to where the mark on the top gear is at the bottom and lined up with the mark on the bottom gear.

I am replacing the cam and cam bearings. It was eating the distributor gear. The only wear I see is on the gear on the cam shaft that turns the distributor. I am replacing all the cam components to fix this issue. So the cam in the picture is basically 180 out? It was definitely on TDC compression stroke. So the two marks should be pointed at each other?

Mar 17, 2019 | 08:52 AM

gat

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 621

Likes: 9

From: Oklahoma

Year: 1992

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L L6 PowerTech (stock)

https://youtu.be/PfW_StKs3Yw

Mar 19, 2019 | 06:49 PM

88AMCXJ

Newbie

Joined: Mar 2019

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

Year: 1988

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0L Renix

I don't want to add bad information here so someone please correct me if needed. I recently did the timing gears on my 88 and they were facing each other. If someone had put the cam in 180 out at some point and ran the plug wires 180 out I *think* everything would still run, probably just not well. Just a thought, I've seen previous owners do some crazy stuff!

Mar 19, 2019 | 10:28 PM

arto_wa

Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 87

Likes: 5

From: S.W. WA State

Year: 1989 & 1990

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssgcoleman1

........................ It was eating the distributor gear. The only wear I see is on the gear on the cam shaft that turns the distributor. I am replacing all the cam components to fix this issue. ...............................

You should investigate why the gear is so worn?
I.E. damaged / seizing distributor or oil pump bearing?

I once lost a new camshaft in a new Mopar rebuilt 4.0L due to a new jobber aftermarket distributor's bearing seizing up while running!