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These instructions are intended for 1978-86 CJ’s but are very similar for 1972-77 CJ’s or
1987-90 Wranglers with 258 six-cylinder engines
STEP 1: Disconnect your negative battery terminal.
STEP 2: Locate your #1 spark plug wire on your distributor cap and mark the cap accordingly if it is not already identified.
STEP 3: Remove all spark plug wires AND all spark plugs from your engine.
STEP 4: Put the appropriately sized socket wrench on the center bolt of your engine’s lower crankshaft pulley. By turning the socket wrench clockwise, bring the timing mark on your crankshaft pulley all the way around until it is lined up perfectly with the TDC mark on the front of your engine.
STEP 5: Lift off your distributor cap and note the position of the rotor. It should be pointing directly at the #1 position on the cap which you previously marked. If it is NOT, then secure the distributor cap and repeat steps #4 and #5.
STEP 6: Disconnect the distributor from the wiring harness. Disconnect the ignition coil from the wiring harness.
STEP 7: Remove the old ignition coil and distributor from your engine. Note that your rotor will turn counterclockwise a little when you pull the distributor out of the engine. Now is a good time to inspect your old drive gear. If excessive wear is evident, your new HEI distributor drive gear may not mesh well with your old cam gear. Replacing your cam gear is recommended in this case. (This is not common, however, better to inspect these things now than to have problems later.)
STEP 8: With a flashlight, look down into the hole of the engine where the distributor fits. You will see a “slotted” shaft. Now, holding the distributor with the vacuum advance pointing at the passenger’s side of the Jeep, position the rotor so that the distributor shaft will fit into the “slot” down inside the engine. You will have to turn the rotor counterclockwise a little so that when you set the distributor into the engine, it will turn clockwise as the distributor drive gear seats into place. (Turn the rotor back approximately the amount that the gear turned as you pulled it out in STEP #7) The distributor should sit ALL THE WAY DOWN and rest nicely on the engine block. If it doesn’t, pull it out and try again until it does. Note: You may have to slightly bend your oil dipstick tube out of the way of your new distributor since the cap is much larger than your old distributor. Be very careful not to break the oil dipstick tube.
STEP 9: Place your new distributor cap back on the distributor. (make sure it’s on STRAIGHT and the NOTCH is aligned properly with distributor housing! It can be tough going on the first time, as the plastic caps tend to warp out of round) Note which spark plug wire terminal the rotor is pointing closest to. Tighten down the distributor hold down clamp and mark the spark plug terminal on the distributor cap #1. Secure the cap to the distributor.
STEP 10: Attach the distributor’s black 3-wire harness plug to the distributor cap. It plugs in right behind the pink power and green tach leads. Be sure that the red wire
of the harness plug is in line with the pink power lead and the yellow wire of the
harness plug is in line with the green tach lead.
STEP 11: Re-gap each of your spark plugs to approximately 0.045” – 0.050”. Reinstall all of the spark plugs.
STEP 12: Using the proper firing order for your engine (1-5-3-6-2-4 clockwise on cap), begin attaching your new HEI spark plug wires at the #1 terminal on the distributor cap. Your engine’s #1 spark plug is at the front of your engine and the plugs are in order all the way to the back of the engine which is #6. (Make sure you use at least 8MM spark plug wires for your new HEI Distributor. Your stock wires WILL NOT carry the voltage!)
STEP 13: On the driver’s side fender, under the overflow bottle, unplug the old ignition module COMPLETELY. (Large gray square box) There should be TWO plugs to disconnect. You can actually remove the ignition module completely if you wish. You won’t need it with your new distributor.
STEP 14: One of the plugs that you just disconnected has a LARGE 10 GAUGE wire coming into it (probably RED or YELLOW), which is a 12V switched power source. This is the PERFECT wire to connect to your new HEI Distributor for its power source. Your NEW HEI Distributor comes equipped with a PINK Power Lead that you should tie into this 10 Gauge 12V power source. The second lead that comes with your NEW HEI Distributor is GREEN and can be used to connect a TACHOMETER if your Jeep is equipped with one. Otherwise, you can remove the GREEN lead from your new HEI Distributor if it is not needed for a tachometer. (The stock plug and harness that you disconnected extends over to your old distributor. This complete wire harness can be removed from your engine compartment, as well.)
STEP 15: Reconnect your negative battery terminal.
STEP 16: You’re now ready to start your engine! When you start it for the first time, it will probably run fairly rough. You will need to let the engine warm up COMPLETELY to full operating temperature before you can begin to time it properly.
STEP 17: Once the engine is completely warmed up, disconnect your vacuum line from the distributor and plug the end of the hose. Bring your idle up to 1600 rpm. Loosen the distributor hold down clamp just a little. Using a timing light, turn the distributor whichever way is necessary to bring the timing to approximately 8 degrees BEFORE TDC. Tighten the hold down clamp.
STEP 18: Bring your idle back down to normal. (approx. 950 rpm) Reconnect your vacuum line. YOU’RE DONE!
Since every vehicle’s engine is slightly different, you may need to experiment with the timing to achieve maximum results. We have found that most engines with this HEI distributor run best timed somewhere between 6 and 10 degrees BEFORE TDC. Your new HEI distributor is also equipped with an “Adjustable Vacuum Advance” unit which can be adjusted by inserting a 2.5mm allen wrench into the end of the vacuum canister and turning it. Each full turn is equal to 2 degrees of advance.
You will surely notice an improvement in gas mileage, overall performance, and a smoother idle. Not to mention the GRUNT off the line! Good luck!
Best regards,
CRT Performance, LLC
(508) THE-JEEP
www.crtperformance.com
PLEASE NOTE: These instructions are for reference purposes only. These instructions are intended to simplify the installation of an HEI distributor. It is assumed that the installer of this HEI distributor has basic mechanical knowledge. If there are any questions regarding the installation of this HEI distributor, the installer should consult an actual AUTOMOTIVE REFERENCE MANUAL for proper procedures, prior to installation. Some steps in the above mentioned installation procedure may vary depending on the Year/Make/& Model of your vehicle.
Although the results of installing these HEI distributors, historically, are only known to be positive, CRT Performance, LLC cannot be held responsible for faulty installation or damage caused to any vehicle during or as a result of the installation of a GM HEI Distributor.
Emissions laws and regulations vary from one state to another. Check with your local state emissions regulations prior to installing a GM HEI Distributor.
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