HELP: Problems with Distributor Cap and Rotor

IMONBOOST · IMONBOOST's Garage

Hello,

I recently realized my distributor caps/rotors did not look in good condition. One of the Caps had a lot of material gone from the contacts.

I ordered from Pelican new caps and rotors. Upon installation realized that my lower rotor (the one closest to the rear bumper) is hitting the contacts on the distributor cap for cylinders 4, 2, 6, and 1. There is no play for me to move the cap so that it does not hit. I also discovered the rotor has some play in all directions except up and down. I say a good 2 mm of play. I guess this is not normal, please advide? How is this repairable? Need to replace the whole distributor assembly? Say no please....

Thanks in advanced

Francisco Martinez

kang · 01-05-2006, 01:38 PM

I’d start by comparing your old rotors and caps to the new ones. Do they look identical (minus the wear of course)? Do they have the same positioning tabs, etc? If they are identical, then the installation is off. If they are not identical, then you got the wrong parts.

IMONBOOST · IMONBOOST's Garage

All parts have the correct part numbers and look identical. The rotor is grinding in the same direction the belt is pulling the secondary distributor. This leads me to believe that I must have a bad bearing on the second distributor that allows the belt to pull on the rotor against the cap.

I am wondering if this is a common failure? I know the belts may fail but did not know about bearings or so much play on the rotor.

I am in the process of removing the whole distributor assembly for further inspection and probably send for rebuild. Anyone knows about a good place for rebuilding these? What is the usual cost?

stevepaa · 01-05-2006, 08:00 PM

This happened to me in my MGA. But it was the cap not being positioned correctly.

I started to pull mine apart tonight to look, but I sure don't like fighting those wire caps, so I gave up.

Had mine rebuilt by local Porsche independent shop, ~$100. Probably $200 if you really need bearings. Good luck

kang · 01-06-2006, 08:15 AM

From your description, it seems it was working correctly, e.g. the rotor was not grinding the cap, before you replaced the cap and rotor. I find it very interesting that the problem seems to have started with the replacement of these parts. What would happen if you put the old cap and rotor back on? How about switching the caps from one dist to the other? I’m just guessing here, trying to get at the root of the problem. How many miles on your car? It just seems very unusual for a rotor to have that much play. How much play in the other rotor?

But just in case it is bad, you might be able to find a rebuilt dist on the ‘net, maybe even eBay or one of the regular vendors. They’ll want your core, of course. Pelican has rebuilt rotors. I don’t have a clue if there is someone local to you who can rebuild yours. If you have to ship it to the states to have yours rebuilt, you might be better off getting a rebuilt one from Pelican. You can drive your car (with the old cap & rotor) until the new one arrives, swap it out, and then ship the core back. You have minimal downtime this way.

IMONBOOST · IMONBOOST's Garage

Thanks Kang...the old cap is also grinded to the extent that it no longer would come into contact. The distributor has about 2 to 3 millimeter play. I have yet to decide if going with the Pelican option or sending my own for rebuild. The Pelican option could be $200 to $300 dollars more expensive depending on the number of bearings that have to be replaced.