Ignition Systems: Distributor: Overhaul
- To disassemble, unclip and remove the cap. Fit a new cap if known to be faulty. Clean the cap and high tension brush with a lint free cloth.
- Pull rotor arm from shaft. Fit a new rotor arm if known to be faulty.
- Remove insulation cover (flash shield), secured by three screws. See Fig 1 . Fit a new cover if known to be faulty.
- Remove two screws from vacuum unit securing bracket, disengage vacuum unit connecting rod from pick-up base plate connecting peg, and withdraw vacuum unit from distributor body.
- Remove two screws and withdraw the module.
- Remove the gasket.
- Remove two screws securing the cast heatsink and remove the heatsink.
- Use circlip pliers to remove the circlip retaining the reluctor on rotor shaft.
- Remove the flat washer and then the "O" ring recessed in the top of the reluctor.
- Gently withdraw the reluctor from the shaft, taking care not to damage the teeth.
- Remove three support pillars and cable grommet. Lift out the pick-up and base plate assembly.
- Fit a new pick-up and base plate assembly if module is known to be faulty, otherwise check pick-up winding resistance (2000-5000 ohm).
- To reassemble, apply a spot of clean engine oil into the rotor spindle before fitting rotor arm. Apply Omnilube 2 (or equivalent) grease to auto advance mechanism, pick-up plate center bearing, pre tilt spring and its rubbing area (pick-up and base plate assembly), vacuum unit connecting peg (pick-up and base plate assembly), and the connecting peg hole in vacuum unit connecting rod.
- Fit pick-up and base plate assembly. Pick-up leads must be prevented from fouling the rotating reluctor. Both leads should be located in plastic guide as illustrated. See Fig 2 . Check during re-assembly.
- Refit reluctor. Slide reluctor as far as it will go on rotor shaft, then rotate reluctor until it engages with the coupling ring beneath the pick-up base plate. The distributor shaft, coupling ring and reluctor are "keyed" and rotate together. Fit the "O" ring, flat washer and retaining circlip.
- Adjust pick-up air gap. The air gap between the pick-up limb and reluctor teeth must be set within the specified limits, using a non-ferrous feeler gauge.
- If adjustment is necessary, slacken the two barrel nuts to set the air gap. Air gap should be .008-.014" (.20-.35 mm). See Fig 3 .
- Before fitting the module, apply MS4 Silicone grease, or equivalent heat-conducting compound to the amplifier module backplate, the seating face on distributor body and both faces of the heatsink casting.
WARNING:
The amplifier module is a sealed unit containing Beryllia. This substance is extremely dangerous if handled. Do not attempt to open or crush the module.
NOTE:
Coupling ring is fitted beneath reluctor.
NOTE:
DO NOT disturb the two barrel nuts securing the pick-up module, otherwise the air gap will need re-adjustment.
NOTE:
When the original pick-up and base plate assembly has been refitted the air gap should be checked, and adjusted if necessary. When fitting a new assembly, the air gap will require adjusting to within the specified limits.