I was just driving along on my 77 CJ5 and it just cut off. No sputtering, no warning, just off. It would turn over fine and have a gas smell, but would not start. I looked under the hood and first thing I noticed was my distributor twisted way around. I pulled the cap off and found several pieces of white plastic, a small screw and a spring inside. I pulled the distributor(the lock bolt was still tight, but it had torqued enough that it broke the lock washer) and checked for damage to the gear. It looked normal. I guess something just broke inside and locked it up. Ever had that happen before???

The gear has a drift pin that holds it in place. I would be taking the gear off and pulling that sucker apart just to see what HAD happened. Does the shaft still turn in the housing? There is little that CAN go wrong with the primitive way them things are put together. Just a shaft and sleeve bearings is all that is ni there.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I pulled the distributor out and the gear and pin appear OK. The shaft does turn freely now that I got all the broken parts out.

Sounds like something came loose and got lodged between the rotating parts and the cap...don"t it?
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I guess thats it. I've never seen that happen. I opened it up and found several pieces of stuff. I have a new HEI that I haven't gotten around to putting in yet. I guess its time now, Huh!!!

Hey Capt., What part of NC are you in?

Wilmington is just north of South Carolina near Carolina Beach... And just north of Myrtle Beach South Carolina.. I once knew the area well.
I wonder if Joyce Wright is still alive..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I'm in Knightdale, Just east of Raleigh. I make it to Wilmington on occaision.

That wouldn't be the Joyce Wright who is the wife of former Democratic House member Thomas Wright would it?

Got any good wheelin' places over there? There's not much around here, and what there was is being closed for environmental reasons or developed. Uwharrie is a load of fun, but a heck of a hike just to get there.