replacing distributor on my 83 CJ7

[papakurf]

Hello, First post, please help if you can, I have a 83 CJ7 base model with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l engine, after I bought it I went to tune it up and discovered someone had replaced the distributor with a 72-74 CJ5 distributor, I know this because that's the only cap and rotor that would fit plus it has points and a condensor and my understanding is a 83 should be electronic with NO points and NO condensor, so I bought a "pertronix" conversion to switch it over to electronic ignition and installed it my problem is I cannot time it what I mean by that is it runs like no matter how I set the timing, so I decided to buy a new (remanufactured) 83 distributior, so night I went to install it and discovered my new 83 distributor has a "pigtail" with 3 wires, #1 wire is black. #2 wire is purple and black and #3 wire is red and black and that's great BUT my current 72-74 distributor has NO pigtail so here is my question... Does anyone know where I should hook up my 3 colored wires? Where do they go? My current distributor has only 2 wires (from the pertronix kit) and they both go to each side of the ignition coil. I can cut off my new pigtail but I need to know where to connect the 3 new wires? Any help would be appreciated, looking forward to this new club, Mike

 

[Torxhead]

I would suggest getting a wiring diagram for an '83. Although you could probably find one on the net. I am sure you will find other uses for it like to find what the p.o. screwed up.

 

[hagar]

Your newest purchase is for Motocraft electronic ignition (factory)
Unless you have the module still on the Jeep, it's gonna be an expensive trip.
Pull your points dist back out and re set it properly on #1 cylinder at TDC.

 

[Torxhead]

Since you have the Motorcraft distributor, A correct ignition control module has to go with it along with getting it wired up.

 

[hdgapeach]

Since you have the Motorcraft distributor, A correct ignition control module has to go with it along with getting it wired up.

Yep! What most everyone else already stated.

That pigtail will plug into the matching connector included in the harness that would go to the coil, ignition control module and a couple of one wire sensors (Ford Duraspark II harness in my '76).

Check out the "Team Rush Ignition Upgrade" sticky thread at the top of the Drivetrain forum. I believe it has the particular wiring schematic you'll want to look at to see what goes where.

Wire colors don't always necessarily match. If the connector matches the pattern of the connector you're pluggin' into, wire color doesn't have to match to be correct. If I remember right, colors won't match at the ignition control module connection.

If you don't find what you're looking for, a Google search for the Duraspark wiring diagrams should give you plenty to take a gander at (image search).

Good luck! I did the DSII with TFI coil conversion about 15 years ago on my '76 and have never regretted it. It'll be similar to what you're fixin' to deal with if you do it back to what it ought to be (with a few exceptions, of course).

 

[Posi]

Another option would be to wire in a gm ignition module to your Motorcraft distributor.