WW2 Jeep Hard Start: Rebuild Distributor, Timing & Viola! ShopTime™Ep40, #g503

Summary

In this episode titled 'Zen and the Art of Jeep Maintenance,' the speaker discusses the philosophical side of Jeep repair, focusing on a 1943 WWII-era Jeep with starting issues. The problem was traced to a stuck distributor and malfunctioning mechanical advance. After visualizing the system and making necessary adjustments, including lubricating the distributor and setting the points, the Jeep started reliably. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding how engine systems work, using the Jeep's repairs as a demonstration of how proper maintenance ensures reliable performance even in cold conditions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understanding a Jeep's reliability involves knowing the internal workings and being able to visualize the process of how it operates.
• 😀 A major issue with old WWII-era six-volt Jeeps often comes from the distributor, particularly the mechanical advance inside.
• 😀 Proper maintenance of the distributor, such as freeing up a stuck governor and adjusting the timing, can resolve startup issues.
• 😀 When the distributor is stuck or not functioning, it can lead to misfires, backfires, and hard starting, as seen in the Jeep’s issues.
• 😀 Cold weather can make it harder to start the Jeep because the thicker oil and the dense air demand more fuel for a proper mixture.
• 😀 Proper fuel mixture settings, such as pulling the choke and giving the throttle a little bit of pressure, are essential for smooth Jeep operation in colder conditions.
• 😀 When removing and reinstalling the distributor, it’s important to mark the position and take a photo to ensure correct timing upon reassembly.
• 😀 The centrifugal advance mechanism in the distributor helps the engine perform optimally at higher speeds by advancing the timing of the spark.
• 😀 A well-tuned distributor ensures both a smooth idle and maximum power at higher speeds; improper timing can cause sluggish performance.
• 😀 After fixing the distributor, the Jeep's engine can start easily, idle properly, and accelerate smoothly, even on a cold day or uphill.
• 😀 Future work on the Jeep includes addressing electrical issues like overcharging and fixing the fuel gauge, which will further improve its reliability.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the Jeep discussed in the video?

The main issue with the Jeep is that it would crank but not start properly, which led to the mechanic investigating the starting system, especially the timing and distributor.

What part of the Jeep was initially suspected to be faulty?

Initially, the Bendix on the starter was suspected to be faulty due to the Jeep not starting correctly.

What did the mechanic discover after further investigation?

The mechanic discovered that the distributor was stuck, which was causing improper firing and contributing to the starting problem.

What is the role of the distributor in the Jeep's starting system?

The distributor controls the timing of the spark in the engine. If it is stuck or out of adjustment, it can cause the engine to fire at the wrong time, leading to starting issues and poor performance.

How does the mechanical advance in the distributor function?

The mechanical advance in the distributor uses centrifugal force to move weights that advance the timing as the engine speed increases, ensuring the spark occurs at the right moment for efficient combustion.

What was the cause of the Jeep's poor idle and low power at higher speeds?

The poor idle and lack of power at higher speeds were due to the distributor's mechanical advance not working correctly, causing the timing to be set improperly.

How did the mechanic solve the problem with the distributor?

The mechanic unstuck the distributor, lubricated it, and adjusted the timing, which allowed the Jeep to start properly and run more smoothly.

Why is it important to visualize the steps involved in starting an engine?

Visualizing the steps involved helps a mechanic understand the process and diagnose problems more effectively by pinpointing where things might be going wrong.

What did the mechanic do to ensure the distributor would be installed correctly after removal?

The mechanic took a picture of the distributor’s rotor position before removing it, which served as a reference to reinstall it correctly and adjust the timing.

What additional tasks does the mechanic plan to complete on the Jeep?

The mechanic plans to address electrical issues, including the overcharging problem, get the fuel gauge working properly, and reinstall the speedometer.