So I did a new cam, lifters, push rods, rocker arms head and timing chain. Installed on my motor bought a new distributor because the old one had a ton of play in the bushings and now I can't get it to fire no matter what install sequence I try. I've tried these 2 install procedures.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/how-tos/a/jeep-cherokee-1984-2001-how-to-replace-distributor-398978

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/1998-4-0l-distributor-problem-234466/

Any ideas would be great, on a side note if i install it exactly as the write up says i get popping like its 180 out, but I know for a fact that i installed the cam dot to dot and number one piston at top dead center.
any ideas would be great

 

How did you confirm that you were #1 tdc compression and not # 1 tdc exhaust? Both show up as 0 on timing gear

 

Several different ways when yhe head was off and i was installing the cam I made sure that #1 piston was at TDC and the cam and crank gear dots lined up. Then when that didn't work I pulled #1 spark plug and plugged the hole with my finger as I turned it over by hand till I felt compression then set the balancer to "0" TDC.

 

Ok the 2nd method should have put you at 1 tdc compression. When you installed the dizzy, did you make a mental picture of where #1 post was, then remove the cap to verify the rotor was actually pointing to the position of #1 post. Did you verify the new distributor had the cam timing sensor installed in it.

 

No, I actually marked on the distributor housing where #1 post was at, and yes it has the cam timing sensor installed, because i had to plug it back in once the distributor was back in.

 

CRUISER'S MOSTLY RENIX TIPS

SETTING YOUR 4.0 TO #1 TDC

OCTOBER 30, 2015 SALAD 18 COMMENTS EDIT

With #1 spark plug removed, turn the engine over clockwise using the 3/4″ front crankshaft bolt.

You will see the degree marks on your front cover and you will see the timing mark on the balancer. Mark them with chalk or white-out.

While turning the engine over, put your finger/thumb over #1 spark plug hole. As the mark on the balancer approaches the marks on the front cover, if you are coming up on #1 TDC, pressure in the cylinder will push on your finger. If there’s no pressure, you’re at #6 TDC and need to crank the engine over until you see the marks coming together and you get pressure. Set the mark on the balancer to the 0 mark on the front cover.

 

That's exactly how I did it. See comment #3

 

Okay I swapped out the cam timing sensor with my old one, got the cam broke in now I have a CEL code P0320, and P1391 so lots of fun still to go...

 

When I bought a new distributor, I could never get it to line up properly. I quadruple checked for the correct TDC. The old distributor lined up no problem.

Turns out the drive gear was 180* out of phase. I drove out the roll pin, spun the gear around, and pushed the pin back in. It's been working well for the past 35k miles.

 

really? I'll have to try that do you think it will take care of my code issue?

 

If you can't get the bolt slot of the distributor aligned with the bolt hole in the block with #1 at TDC it could well be your issue. I can't say for certain without seeing how your distributor went in, and I unfortunately don't have any photos of how it sat with the gear installed wrong. If you tried reinstalling the original distributor and didn't have an issue, that would be my guess. It's not too hard to check.

By my recollection, the factory service manual has you use a toothpick through a small hole to set the distributor at TDC#1, and of course you should have the crank set at TDC#1 to match. That never lined up no matter how many times I tried. First time after flipping the gear around, instant success, just like my experience with the original.

 

Mine was slightly off, the ears where off to one side a little when I installed the bolt.

 

Mine was slightly off, the ears where off to one side a little when I installed the bolt.

 

Did what you said and it dropped right in. thank you very much.