Distributor cap question

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Linda
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Linda »

I replaced the cap and rotor with the Echlin brass cap for a B210 for the EI dizzy I have. I'm reminded what a nice improvement a new cap and rotor make.

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Linda
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Linda »

Bump.
I still have problems with carbon tracking so I think I need to drill a hole in a test cap. I have an MSD too and some American cars had distributors rust inside from what I read. Perhaps the hotter coil has an effect.
Does anyone know the name of the type of plastic for the cap that is best?
Beware on EBay, some cap pics show brass contacts but the item does not have it, always check.
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Lorna c
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Lorna c »

what's carbon tracking ?
:wink:
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late 68 1600 3 main motor .
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Linda
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Linda »

Black deposits on the distributor contacts inside that interfere with smooth running of the engine .
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Lorna c
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Lorna c »

that's what I thought . they build premature in some situations? I see that on mine but it's not quickly built up . I thought that was normal ? I had a couple caps in the beginning get actually nicked up by the rotor ,because for the first year they kept giving me the wrong cap. unbenonce to me .I wondered why it kept missing . haha what you don't know . or I don't know I mean . now at risk of going to long on this comment , what does drilling a hole do ? or did I read incorrectly?
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"Is it me, or does everyone want to race ?"

late 68 1600 3 main motor .
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spl310
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by spl310 »

Linda wrote: Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:57 am Black deposits on the distributor contacts inside that interfere with smooth running of the engine .
Linda
My understanding is that carbon tracking is actually deposits that are on the plastic that bridge the gap between the contacts, and that leads to misfiring. I could be wrong though
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Linda
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Linda »

Not sure about that either. But I can testify that deposits on the contacts are not helpful, it is essentially a dirty connection like any other electrical connection. So you can clean it off but you lose some metal. After cleaning, car will run better, a new cap is always optimal.
I replace mine every 3-6 months of essentially no driving.
Linda
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Lorna c
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Lorna c »

spl310 wrote: Mon Feb 11, 2019 12:39 pm
Linda wrote: Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:57 am Black deposits on the distributor contacts inside that interfere with smooth running of the engine .
Linda
My understanding is that carbon tracking is actually deposits that are on the plastic that bridge the gap between the contacts, and that leads to misfiring. I could be wrong though
that makes sense .. is this normal and meant to be kept clean or not supposed to happen at all ? sorry I always have allot of questions .
:wink:
"Is it me, or does everyone want to race ?"

late 68 1600 3 main motor .
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Linda
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Linda »

Normal to have it not be a problem as stated above, for some time in a clean cap. May not be the same for a MSD system .
Linda
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Lorna c
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Lorna c »

ugh . what's a msd system .?
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"Is it me, or does everyone want to race ?"

late 68 1600 3 main motor .
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Lorna c
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Lorna c »

you can't learn fast enough on this stuff .
:wink:
"Is it me, or does everyone want to race ?"

late 68 1600 3 main motor .
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Linda
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Linda »

Do a search for a fuller explanation. It is a multi spark discharge system , a type of ignition .
Linda
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Lorna c
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Re: Distributor cap question

Post by Lorna c »

got ya ..
thx
:wink:
"Is it me, or does everyone want to race ?"

late 68 1600 3 main motor .
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