I've got 177K miles on an '85 Cab. and would like to know how I can check for wear on this original distributor.

I'm not having any specific problem but I'm coming up for California dyno-based smog test and try to anticipate problems.

Suggestions ?

 

Well, after being here since 4/07, I think I'll answer my own question.

My guess is to look at the sparkplug wires with o'scope. Tune-up shop should have one. There may be ones where you could look at all six wires simultaneously. I suspect worn distributor would have inconsistencies in spark patterns, particularly spacing, not amplitude.

 

Glenn,

Since the distributor doesn't have any timing function on your Carrera, all its there to do is distribute sparks. When the bushings get severely worn, the rotor starts wearing the cap contacts unevenly as is swings around and a close inspection will reveal that.

Between the above and measuring sideplay in the shaft bushings, you can evaulate the condition of the distributor.

 

Steve,

Yr right. The dist doesn't have effect on timing. (I was just thinking out loud.)

So it would only be 'sever' wear that could be a factor. That could be checked by judging play in dist shaft.

I'll check next time I'm in there.

Tkx

 

One thing you might check for is whether the fiber washer/disc has come apart. You'll see this in the bottom of the distributor if you removed the cap and rotor. If its gone the distibutor can float more that it should which I suppose could cause it to make weak electrical contact. The problem is no one, including Pelican, seems to sell the replacement shims that are designed to control the axial movement of the shaft.