M38-A1 very hard starting

[rhuther]

I am in need of some ideas. I have a 52 M35A1 that died on me at a parade and would not restart until I got it back in the shed several hours later. The 24 volt distributor points were burnt so I decided to replace the distributor with 12 electronic distributor from KaiserWillys. My jeep is 24 volts so I added a key switch for the ignition system only and pulled 12 volts from the first battery in the parallel battery system. I changed the coil, distributor, spark plug, and wires to 12 volts. I also cleaned and rebuilt the carter YS carburetor. To get it started I have to move the distributor retarding the timing around 0 degrees. It then starts very rough and I immediately advance the distributor and it will idle and run. I set the timing around 7 degrees with a timing light. It will run great no missing backfiring and plenty of power. But then when I turn it off it wont start. Starting fluid doesn’t help. Compression is 100,100,95,100 when cold.

 

[NDT]

Try disconnecting and plugging the vacuum line at the intake manifold port and see if that changes anything. You might have a blown vacuum diaphragm.

 

[rhuther]

I dont have a vacuum line any where

 

[NDT]

Did your Jeep have this starting issue before you modified it with the aftermarket ignition system? Points cost like 5 dollars.

 

[rhuther]

Yes it did.

 

[NDT]

So you have nothing connected here at all? This is the manifold vacuum port.

 

[rhuther]

Yes there is a line connected there. It goes to the drivers side of the engine fording valve

 

[NDT]

Well then what you said "I don't have a vacuum line anywhere" is inaccurate. Suggest you plug that vacuum port and see if anything changes.

 

[rhuther]

I dont have the original fuel / vacuum pump

 

[rhuther]

Plugged vacuum port no change