V8 Distributor

Hi All

I've just removed my distributor cap and rotor arm to check condition, put the rotor back, and cap would not seat right, so on further inspection I found the actual shaft had pulled up stopping the cap seating, so I swivelled the shaft slightly, now the cap seats but engine won't run.
Wot have I done? :doh:

The short answer is no idea, but dizzy is quite easy to take apart. Would suggest strip it down and rebuild it, make sure you set the air gap correctly and then make sure you set the timing properly. Air gap and timing need to be spot on.

Is the rotor shaft supposed to float and turn about 50 degrees? Everything was perfect half an hour ago.

sounds like you have dojne exactly the same as I did.. the rotor shaft has a thing at the bottom that sits snugly in between the bob weights.. the bob weights are held in place by springs.. if you pull too hard on the rotor arm you can misalign the springs and the bob weights so that the springs pop off and the weights get themselves under the bit at the bottom of the rotor arm shaft.. you will need to strip and re-assemble the dizzy to put them back..

problem is mine isn't running right since I did it and theose sprongs control the mechanical advance.. if they get stretched or bent then the advance curve on the cehicle will be all wrong.. not 100% that's what is wrong with mine but at least 50% so be very careful.

I have found a guy who has a large stock of the springs and can supply replacements for £10 but he doesn't have the data for these vehicles as they are newer than his normal customers so would need a set of srpings to match..

It's fixed!!

Just took advice from classic Kev. But have just read mjltigger,(now I've finnished) he is absolutely spot on. (There are some seriously small plastic bits in there)

Thanks Guys:clap2:

that's all good.. how's the advance curve? Did you use a timing light or ear to set up the timing when you'd finished or did you manage to strip the dizzy without removing the shaft?

so the moral of the story is to cut the rotor arm off, lol.

lol buzzcox.. the moral of the story is leave the darn thing alone I reckon..

but if you've no choice it seems best to be a bit gentle..

mjltigger said:

that's all good.. how's the advance curve? Did you use a timing light or ear to set up the timing when you'd finished or did you manage to strip the dizzy without removing the shaft?

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No timing lights required! I just first removed electronic pick-up (2 x screw nuts), then took out plate (3 x nuts), then outer rotor shaft and springs and stuff, took shaft to pieces to seperate. Then just reassembled everything and put it back in, turned key and off we go. Hey Presto!!!

now I wish I'd asked you to do mine then.. cos mine is still fubar