Electronic Ignition

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doubledeuce

doubledeuce

Joined
Jun 28, 2019
Threads
4
Messages
21
Location
Iowa
Just joined the group and looking for guidance/insight regarding electronic ignition – Points went out in my stock ignition so I decided to look at electronic ignition. specifically, MAXX 88641R HEI Electronic Distributor Coil 68-67 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 FJ55. I purchased from MAXX Performance eBay seller. I should also say I’m not a mechanic – I work on motorcycles but no deep technical expertise on FJ.

I took this to professional mechanic locally and he installed. Timing was good, fired right up, good oil pressure and appeared good to go. I made it about 20 minutes from his location and started losing power, engine died and I rolled to a stop. Motor would not crank. Had it towed back and he just informed me the electronic ignition did not penetrate far enough into the motor oil pump area and was sheared off and due to lack of oil the motor has seized up.

Has anyone had this issue? Is it a distributor design flaw? Installation issue? Right now I have to pull the motor to see what the damage is and not looking forward to that but also want to understand root cause. I’d appreciate any guidance and knowledge you can share.
 
Thats an installation issue. This is why everyone states MAKE SURE the distributor is fully seated into there.

But, there is a possibility that distributor is too short or junk. You would have to get a measurement on stock and that on. If it's a bad design or weak chinese distributor, I could see it shearing and causing issues. I don't know anything about the MAXX HEI dizzy, but my guess is it's chinese.

Or a combination of not seating far enough and bad dizzy. Tough deal either way.
 
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Dist. was not fully seated in the slot in the oil pump. this happens way too often. The engine will run but the oil pump isn't pumping! FJBen beat me to it.
 
FJBen said:
Thats an installation issue. This is why everyone states MAKE SURE the distributor is fully seated into there.

But, there is a possibility that distributor is too short or junk. You would have to get a measurement on stock and that on. If it's a bad design or weak chinese distributor, I could see it shearing and causing issues. I don't know anything about the MAXX HEI dizzy, but my guess is it's chinese.

Or a combination of not seating far enough and bad dizzy. Tough deal either way.
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That's helpful - thank you.
 
skidplate said:
Dist. was not fully seated in the slot in the oil pump. this happens way too often. The engine will run but the oil pump isn't pumping! FJBen beat me to it.
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Yes. Mechanic said distributor OD into the oil pump does not allow it to seat further but when I checked the sellers website it shows compatible for the 71 FJ40 - i6. I'm going to try and get measurements from stock against the newly installed but looks like I'm in for a painful start to my FJ happiness.
 
He should have caught that it did not seat correctly.... when it was installed

Not after the engine dies
 
So your mechanic KNEW it wasn't seated all the way and STILL let you drive it away? He needs to replace your engine...
 
Sure sorry to hear about that. A pic of your distributor end would be nice to see.
Like this.

Dizzy 01.webp
 
Just remembered when I installed my DUI distributor from Performance Distributor, installation instructions said to check for bottoming out. Suggested using a super thin feeler gauge or even a piece of paper under the seating flange to make sure that the flange was indeed bottoming out on the block and not the shaft tip bottoming out into the pump. If the flange did not contact the block then shimming was required. Mine came with a hard fiber gasket and was needed to pass the paper test. It’s possible yours was inserted too far and exerted pressure when the clamp was tightened but I don't know if that would cause a shaft failure like yours.
 
Coolerman said:
So your mechanic KNEW it wasn't seated all the way and STILL let you drive it away? He needs to replace your engine...
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100% agree. If he knew and questioned he should have never started the motor with the new part. Or had you "OK" the new part with that information. On him completely.
 
doubledeuce said:
Mechanic said distributor OD into the oil pump does not allow it to seat further
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Wondering which "OD" he's referring to. The OD of the aluminum base into the block, or the OD of the steel shaft where the bottom tip transitions from flat to round. That is why I thought it may have been inserted too far and put into a bind causing it to shear. Such as leaving out the gasket. If I install mine without the gasket, the base flange will no contact the block as the flat part of the shaft is inserted all the way into the pump and bottoms out there.
Sure would like to see a pic of the shaft.
 
Steamer said:
Wondering which "OD" he's referring to. The OD of the aluminum base into the block, or the OD of the steel shaft where the bottom tip transitions from flat to round. That is why I thought it may have been inserted too far and put into a bind causing it to shear. Such as leaving out the gasket. If I install mine without the gasket, the base flange will no contact the block as the flat part of the shaft is inserted all the way into the pump and bottoms out there.
Sure would like to see a pic of the shaft.
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Good advice - I'm meeting with him this weekend and will try and get to the bottom of it. And some photos.
 
Steamer said:
Just remembered when I installed my DUI distributor from Performance Distributor, installation instructions said to check for bottoming out. Suggested using a super thin feeler gauge or even a piece of paper under the seating flange to make sure that the flange was indeed bottoming out on the block and not the shaft tip bottoming out into the pump. If the flange did not contact the block then shimming was required. Mine came with a hard fiber gasket and was needed to pass the paper test. It’s possible yours was inserted too far and exerted pressure when the clamp was tightened but I don't know if that would cause a shaft failure like yours.
Click to expand...
More great advice/guidance. I really appreciate it!
 
Coolerman said:
So your mechanic KNEW it wasn't seated all the way and STILL let you drive it away? He needs to replace your engine...
Click to expand...
Actually, he discovered it wasn't fully seated once I had it towed back in and he had to diagnose the non-cranking engine. The detailed (very detailed) instructions clearly (in all CAPS and BOLD letters) said to ensure it was fully seated and to double check to ensure the oil pump was engaged.

My suspicion is they didn't fully read the detailed instructions. Hoping it's not a new engine and can be repaired.
 
Probably just a bad install. but i have had an aftermarket dizzy seize and remove itself from the block. bent the clamp up pretty good.
 
doubledeuce said:
Hoping it's not a new engine and can be repaired.
Click to expand...

if it won't turn over it will either be a good used replacement or an expensive rebuild
 
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