1973 Jeep J-2000 4x4 - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups

#1 10-28-2008, 02:35 PM

Hello peoples!!! I just got my meathooks on a good barn find. 73 J-2000 4x4

I have a stock 1973 258 AMC engine. I need info on converting ignition over to electronic from points & condenser. I'm wondering if I can install a newer distributer with efi or can I use a 82 Ford 300 cid distributer without alot of hassel??

carnuck · #2 11-09-2008, 02:30 AM

At least the '73 has the same bell as the AMC V8. There is an HEI conversion using a Chev 250 or 292 dist @77 to '80 vintage but you have to change the dist drive gear (points one is the same) Some of the dists are external coil and some are coil in cap. You hook 12VDC direct to the dist (the OEM wire has a resistor built in which drops power to @9VDC which will cause HEI to not rev up and blow out modules)

#3 11-09-2008, 11:42 AM

Ok peoples I just got me an upgrade. It's out of a AMC Hornet ( 258 )

I got the whole works including wireing. But I have question? I also got a distributor out of a Jeep Cherokee 4.0 engine. It will drop right in also but it does not have vaccum advance!!! Can I swap it out without changing anything else???

carnuck · #4 11-09-2008, 09:08 PM

Not unless you are doing the EFI swap. The 4.0L dist only tells the computer what position the cam is in so it sprays the fuel on the intake and not the exhaust stroke.

#5 11-10-2008, 07:58 AM

Oh ok, but I will be doing the change over from points & condenser to efi with the ford vaccum advance distributor. I was just curious what woud happen if I used the udder distributor from the 4.0 I don't think it's a motorcraft thoe I found a sticky on it thats says LUCAS B-104 ?? Also probally going to do the 1982 adaptor & bigger cap on the motorcraft distributor.

carnuck · #6 11-10-2008, 10:06 AM

It says Lucas? Sounds like the one with the white plastic vacuum advance? That would be a Presto-no-lite set up. The connector to the dist corrodes, causing it to suddenly cut out when it loses signal. The other giveaway is the ignition box is gold.
You could also go with Pertronix and keep the points dist.

#7 11-12-2008, 11:08 AM

Well I think for now I'm going to stay with the motorcraft distributor & buy the adapter & bigger cap.