How can you tell if your DISTRIBUTER is going bad?

Eric Mckenna · 03-02-2003, 05:22 PM

Hey guy's,
I have a question,
My car is missing on a cylinder but this only happens when the distributer is making a grinding type sound like a bad bearing or something.. and while it makes this sound the cars seems to stumble a bit and runn rough like it's got a bad plug/ wire or shat have you.. and the motor is smooth but the Distributer is rough to place your habd on it feels rough.. and once and a while it will stop the grinding sound and the motor seem to pick up the cylindr again, and runn GREAT! but as soon as that sound of roughness comes back from the Distibuter it startrs to stumble again..
Would the distributer going bacd be the cause of this?
Is there any way to check as they are NOT cheap!!

Thansk,
I have a 78SC Tub w/ a 83 SC motor.....if this helps.. Thanks in advance!
Eric Mckenna

Eric Mckenna · 03-02-2003, 05:54 PM

PeteT · 03-02-2003, 05:56 PM

Eric,
I have had my dizzy go out on me twice. Both times the car started missing progressively worse and then finally died. The easiest way to check is to pull the distributor cap and check the shaft for looseness. If those bushings are bad you will be able to move the shaft very easily. Also check to see if the rotor or cap is cracked. Mine were and it was obvious that they touched. I got mine rebuilt locally for around $150.
Pete

Jbabic · Jbabic's Garage

When your dist. starts to drink alot and pick up on hookers, then i would say its going bad.

Jbabic · Jbabic's Garage

Try the link below...its a rebuild kit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2404826342&category=6770

Eric Mckenna · 03-03-2003, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PeteT
Eric,
I have had my dizzy go out on me twice. Both times the car started missing progressively worse and then finally died. The easiest way to check is to pull the distributor cap and check the shaft for looseness. If those bushings are bad you will be able to move the shaft very easily. Also check to see if the rotor or cap is cracked. Mine were and it was obvious that they touched. I got mine rebuilt locally for around $150.
Pete

Yep it's loose!!! so I will be rebuilding it.. as mine is doing what yours did!
it is getting worse...
Thanks!
and Thanks Jer.. I'll be getting one of the rebuild kits.. unless I can track down a good one for a good price.
Eric

Jdub · 03-03-2003, 06:27 AM

Let us know if you are able to find the bushings. The kit on eBay provides for the reluctor, etc. but does not have the springs, spring pole plastic covers, or the pair of bushings or pinion pin. Those are the items you are going to need should you decide to strip that dist.

John

Jbabic · Jbabic's Garage

Eric,

you may borrow mine out of the SC, until you get yours repaired. that way it gives you some time to enjoy the car and fix your dist. rather cheaply....cheaper than a new one anyways.

let me know if/when you want to do this. I will bring my timing let to set it to match your current timing. shouldn't take very lone. 1/2 hour.

McDaniel · 03-03-2003, 07:18 AM

Saw this over in the Classified forum, don't know if it would
fill your needs...

Rare Marelli Distributer

Jdub · 03-03-2003, 07:29 AM

Remember that the early '78 dist. uses a different pitch on the pinion end (this changed for the remainder of the SC line). You have an '83 so be careful here should an early '78 dist. be offered.

And of course the SCs dist. direction is different than that of earlier cars.

Worth noting anyway,
John