Distributor solutions?

[green71]

Well, I pulled the distributor on my 1971 1.7l. (See http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum2/HTML/004112.html for more info.) The results were very revealing:

1. mikez and toman, the dizzy had popped up from the clamp as you suggested. Unfortunately, it popped up because . . .

2. . . . the distrubutor had frozen and no longer rotates. There's a nifty hole in the side of the dizzy housing where something tried to blast it's way out from the inside. Stove it up solid. Trigger points won't even slide out. The dizzy is dead dead dead.

3. Before the dizzy popped up, the steel drive gear chewed up some of the brass gear on the crank shaft. I can't see it very well, but it feels torn up enough to merit pulling the engine apart and having a new gear pressed on. There are plenty of shavings in there.

4. The dizzy I pulled out has a part number of 0-231-174-005, while the pelicanparts number for this is 0-231-174-001. Can anyone explain why my dizzy has the 005 number?

Well, now I have a fall/winter project. It's been a long time since I've been that deep into an engine.

Question: Are there any distributor alternatives? Does anyone know where an early 1.7l rebuilt dizzy can be found? Or does anyone have a spare in a box someplace that they'd like to get rid of? The engine has the original FI.

TIA,

Mark

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1971 1.7l 914

[This message has been edited by green71 (edited 10-24-2001).]

[This message has been edited by green71 (edited 10-24-2001).]

[pbanders]

Mark,

Check my web page for a distributor number cross-reference:

http://members.rennlist.com/pbanders/djetparts.htm

From the very confusing information that exists on 1.7L distributors (there appear to be a LOT of different ones), your 005 is for the 1973 1.7L (according to the Bosch Ignition Products Catalog). Regardless, my suggestion on how to inexpensively replace your dizzy is to go to your local Checker/Kragen store and buy an A1 Cardone rebuilt unit. Including core charge, it should cost less than $100, including a lifetime replacement warranty.

Brad Anders

[green71]

Brad,

Thanks for the reply. I looked at the cross-reference you recommended. There was a lot of neat info there.

I assume that Kragen/Checker is your basic neighborhood auto parts store, like Schucks or NAPA. I may need to give that a shot. However, my mechanic has indicated that he actually has a used distributor in his boneyard. I'll be hauling the whole rig down to him on Friday to have him check the condition of the crankshaft gear. His assessment will directly impact my diet this fall . . . winter . . . spring . . .

Mark

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1971 1.7l 914