Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler YJ engine mounts

Losing power randomly, spark plug wire issue

Kunze4u2

Kunze4u2

New Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2024
Messages
13
Location
St. Augustine, Florida
Hey everyone. My Jeep has been running great, but the other day, when I started it, it bogged down. The engine acted like it was only running on 3 cyl, then it shut off. This happened a few times. I ended up taking it in to a shop and the feedback is that the spark plug wires were not covering the plugs well, causing it to potentially short to the block. They repositioned the boots and the jeep ran good for them to test drive today. They are keeping it again tomorrow to inspect for anything further.

My issue.. this just seems too simple and I wanted feedback. I trust this shop, and their classic car specialist is working on it. When the Jeep wouldn't run well.. I inspected the wires and didn't see anything strange. I'm just afraid I will get it back and it will just shut down on me again. Any feedback on this issue? Experienced something similar? what else should I look out for?

The distributor, cap, rotor, wires, and plugs are less than 1 year old.

Thank you!
 
dealers? this is a very interesting situation? did you contact the forum before you took it to dealer. what kind of spark plugs ? please keep us posted. good luck with dealer.
 
I had an issue like that. Thought the wire was seated, but it wasn't. This can allow an arc to the block. Now, I'd recommend checking to make sure the little connectors in the plug wires aren't stretched and loose, allowing the issue to happen. You should feel and hear a click when pushing the wires down onto the plugs during installation. Some dielectric grease applied inside the boots can help them slide on easier and prevent arcing should the rubber boots themselves not be sealing against the porcelain well.
 
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Latest information shows that the distributor is failing. The shaft has a tremendous amount of play in it and the gear is jumping off the crankshaft. This is causing an incredibly loud knocking noise as well as misfiring.
New distributor is going in tomorrow or the next day and we will see what happens from there.
 
spoke to them today. New distributor installed but still having issues. Seems like the timing is off. The PO must have done something wrong or had something installed poorly in the past. The old distributor firing order was correct, but clocked 90deg off from factory specs. Should hear more tomorrow..
 
Well.. distributor is fixed. Timing was way off and has been corrected. Now there is pretty bad rod knock.. or at least that’s what the distributor issue was hiding. New bearings being installed in the next day or so. Not fun!
 
thanks for keeping us updated. it looks like you are going to have one fine wrangler when it all done. it will be one that you will enjoy for along time to come. i have learned alot from your experience. good luck and safe driving.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler YJ engine mounts
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