Checking Your Distributor Cap & Rotor For Wear
TOOLS REQUIRED:
NONE
PARTS REQUIRED:
1 - Distributor cap (if needed)
1 - Rotor (if needed)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. With the plug wires STILL IN PLACE, pry off the two (2) clips which hold on the distributor cap to the distributor body.
2. Turn over the cap and look at the inside of the cap. Inspect for:
a. Cracking.
b. Carbon tracks (thin lines, gray or black in color) left from arcing sparks.
c. Excessive carbon/corrosion build up on the four (4) contact pegs.
d. Loose contact pegs (give each a gentle wiggle).
(1.) If you find anything listed above, it's time for a new cap. However, if you're on a tight budget and all you find during your look is a little bit of carbon/corrosion on the contact pegs, you can re-shine the contact surface of the contact pegs with a little emery cloth being careful not to sand the pegs down to stumps. Just re-brightening of the contact surface is all that is required.
(2.) If a replacement is in order place the NEW cap onto the distributor without any wires attached. Then remove ONE WIRE AT A TIME from the old cap; placing it in the same position on the new cap until all wires are transferred.
3. Now remove the rotor from the top of the distributor shaft. Inspect for:
a. Cracking.
b. Excessive carbon/corrosion build up on contact tip.
c. Wear on the center contact point.
(1.) If you find anything listed above, it's time for a new rotor. However, if you're on a tight budget and all you find during your look is a little bit of carbon/corrosion on the contact tip, you can re-shine the contact surface of the contact tip with a jewelers file or fine emery cloth being careful not to sand the tip down to a stump. Just re-brightening of the contact surface is all that is required.
4. Replace the rotor on the distributor drive shaft.
5. Replace the distributor cap onto the distributor body ensuring the it's on correctly with the notch engaged in the distributor rim.
6. Snap the two (2) retaining clips back in place.
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Revised: September 30, 2003
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