Hello all

I'm looking for the plug wire layout from the distributor to the plugs. I removed the plug wires to replace them and, when the new ones were re-installed according to the chiltons manual, the motor wouldnt even fire and struggled to even turn over. This 230 is in a very nice 63 wagoneer that ran very smooth until I changed the plug wires.

I drove over to look at a 65 Wag with 230 and wrote down the plug wire configuration. i moved my plug wires around and the engine fired reluctantly but wouldnt stay running and backfired pretty badly.

Is there a for sure way to know that I have the correct wire layout? My guess is to find terminal number one for the dist and then wire according to the firing order on the valve cover.

suggestions?

153624, starting at 7 o'clock and turning clockwise.

If that doesn't fix it, check your spark. Otherwise run the codes.

...so my number one dist contact is at 7 oclock?

153624, starting at 7 o'clock and turning clockwise.

If that doesn't fix it, check your spark. Otherwise run the codes.

Codes! Ha! This is a vintage engine. Some of it's design is way ahead of its time, but it was made when a calculator filled an entire building.

Find TDC in cylinder 1 and route your wires accordingly. If they are routed correctly and it's backfiring bad, then the distributor is probably way out.

What the prev. poster is trying to tell you is: someone may have put the distributor in wrong and just wired it to match. You need to find which terminal the rotor is pointed at when the #1 piston is at TDC. The use the 156324 sequence in the direction of distributor rotation. Or pull the distributor and make it right.

I was able to use all of your advice and was able to get the OHC fired again yesterday.

I yanked ALL of the "premium" NAPA plug wires, rotor, distributor cap and replaced them with the originals. THe distributor cap is probably the main problem as it just didnt fit right on the distributor body. I does appear that the distributor is off a tooth and must be taken out and dropped back in...in the mean time its running but the timing mark is way out of whack.

I am going to try and source NOS plug wires, dist cap rotor and points but this may be a bit of a task. Can anyone suggest a good source for NOS parts for this engine? I found a place that rebuilds miltary 230 OHC distributors but would like to find a NOS unit. The NAPA parts will be taken back and, while they may laugh at me, I'm going to tell them to take their premium parts and stick em and if they wont give me a refund I'll break out my Mr. T impersonation :mr-t: I pity the fools!

Thanks to all who helped with this problem and I'll be posting more as this rig gets its share of love. Its a 1963 Sierra Blue Wagoneer with the 230, BW Automatic, dana's, PS, PB. I have never seen a Wagoneer of this vintage with absolutely no rust...that's saying a lot for someone living in so Cal.

thanks again

Carl

Codes! Ha! This is a vintage engine. Some of it's design is way ahead of its time, but it was made when a calculator filled an entire building.

Find TDC in cylinder 1 and route your wires accordingly. If they are routed correctly and it's backfiring bad, then the distributor is probably way out.

Reading comprehension > me.