Ignition issue revisited

niveketak · Apr 20th, 2021, 15:58

As a result of a limit of 10 kilometres due to Covid here in France I haven't run the car much after the destruction of one distributor cap centre contact and semi destruction of another. I am currently running a Quinton Hazel cap with an older rotor arm. I ordered another cap and when it arrived I noticed the centre contact was broader and longer than the two destroyed ones. I also ordered a rotor arm and then found I already had a new one. The black one I already had the one on the left is the new one and the other the old one. They are all different and the one on the left has a shorter reach than the other two. The old ones centre contact is lower than the other two and I am now totally confused as to what the set up should be. The car is a 66 122S. Any inspiration?

Volvo_133 · Apr 20th, 2021, 19:38

In your position, I would fit a rotor arm securely, put a steel straight edge on top of the rotor and measure down to the distributor casing.
Do the same for all 3 rotors. This may be easier and more accurate with the distributor removed.Now measure the inside of the cap from the base up to the cap terminal for 1 of the 4 cylinders. From this you should be able to decide if anything will collide.
Also offer the rotors inside each cap to decide if the rotor radius looks OK.
I think all amazon rotors run the same radius. I have an early rotor which looks taller in height ( than my 1970 amazon) though I think this has a longer overlap on to the dizzy shaft.
The diameter of the carbon brush should not make any difference.
Chris

Derek UK · Apr 21st, 2021, 13:04

If you feel like being experimental cut vertically down through a useless cap and remove about 1/3 of of it. Cut it so you can still use the clips to attach it to the dizzy. You will then be able to fit the rotors and see how they line up with the carbon and side contacts. Obviously the cap you cut up has to be a correct pattern one.
Measure the height of these three rotors when fitted to the dizzy shaft, height above the base plate. Max height and height of the side tab. Are they all the same?

arcturus · Apr 21st, 2021, 13:45

why don't you save yourself all the bother and just order the correct cap and rotor from VP autoparts. Quote the dizy number and they will send the correct part.
https://vp-autoparts.se/en/artiklar/...m-2/index.html

niveketak · Apr 22nd, 2021, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek UK

If you feel like being experimental cut vertically down through a useless cap and remove about 1/3 of of it. Cut it so you can still use the clips to attach it to the dizzy. You will then be able to fit the rotors and see how they line up with the carbon and side contacts. Obviously the cap you cut up has to be a correct pattern one.
Measure the height of these three rotors when fitted to the dizzy shaft, height above the base plate. Max height and height of the side tab. Are they all the same?

I have the old one on the garage somewhere will have a look

niveketak · Apr 22nd, 2021, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcturus

why don't you save yourself all the bother and just order the correct cap and rotor from VP autoparts. Quote the dizy number and they will send the correct part.
https://vp-autoparts.se/en/artiklar/...m-2/index.html

Partly because the postage to France is extortionate from VP and I’m aYorkshireman of origin! But I have two where the car seems to run fine, further post with a really silly question coming.

niveketak · Apr 22nd, 2021, 14:44

Just on the point of rotor to contact distance, and this sounds really naive but I never considered it before, with the centre of the rotor arm on the button, should the contact end of the rotor arm be ultra close or is there an accepted distance between the end of the arm and the four contacts

niveketak · Apr 22nd, 2021, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcturus

why don't you save yourself all the bother and just order the correct cap and rotor from VP autoparts. Quote the dizy number and they will send the correct part.
https://vp-autoparts.se/en/artiklar/...m-2/index.html

Partly because the postage to France is extortionate from VP and I’m aYorkshireman of origin! But I have two where the car seems to run fine, further post with a really silly question coming.

Volvo_133 · Apr 22nd, 2021, 17:03

I too am a Yorkshire man! I would want to use 1 of each of those rotors and caps to get the car sorted. Cannot tell you the clearance between the rotor and cap contacts when in operation, though it will be minute.

Volvo_133 · Apr 22nd, 2021, 18:59

To avoid any collision damage while trying your parts, take note the direction your rotor faces, remove distributor, you can now rotate your dizzy input shaft by hand with each of your 3 rotors in the 3 caps. From there refit dizzy with the rotor facing the same direction. If it starts ok, then the cap brush must be long enough and the rotor to cap gap be close enough.
The arcing and tracking in your original cap was more than likely caused by traces of carbon from a worn brush. Check and clean the inside of the cap periodically to avoid a repeat issue.
I ought to take my own advice, it is a couple of years since I looked in there!
I do carry a spare cap, rotor arm, points and a condenser. I should not mention all the other bits, fuel pump etc!
Chris.

Apr 21st, 2021, 13:45	#4
arcturus arcturus Last Online: Today 08:17 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sagres Portugal	why don't you save yourself all the bother and just order the correct cap and rotor from VP autoparts. Quote the dizy number and they will send the correct part. https://vp-autoparts.se/en/artiklar/...m-2/index.html __________________ life's too short to drink bad wine Last edited by arcturus; Apr 21st, 2021 at 13:50.

Apr 20th, 2021, 19:38	#2
Volvo_133 VOC member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 18:48 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sheffield	In your position, I would fit a rotor arm securely, put a steel straight edge on top of the rotor and measure down to the distributor casing. Do the same for all 3 rotors. This may be easier and more accurate with the distributor removed.Now measure the inside of the cap from the base up to the cap terminal for 1 of the 4 cylinders. From this you should be able to decide if anything will collide. Also offer the rotors inside each cap to decide if the rotor radius looks OK. I think all amazon rotors run the same radius. I have an early rotor which looks taller in height ( than my 1970 amazon) though I think this has a longer overlap on to the dizzy shaft. The diameter of the carbon brush should not make any difference. Chris

Apr 21st, 2021, 13:04	#3
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 15:54 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	If you feel like being experimental cut vertically down through a useless cap and remove about 1/3 of of it. Cut it so you can still use the clips to attach it to the dizzy. You will then be able to fit the rotors and see how they line up with the carbon and side contacts. Obviously the cap you cut up has to be a correct pattern one. Measure the height of these three rotors when fitted to the dizzy shaft, height above the base plate. Max height and height of the side tab. Are they all the same?

Apr 22nd, 2021, 14:44	#7
niveketak 66 Amazon Last Online: Jun 14th, 2022 16:45 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Piegut Pluviers	Just on the point of rotor to contact distance, and this sounds really naive but I never considered it before, with the centre of the rotor arm on the button, should the contact end of the rotor arm be ultra close or is there an accepted distance between the end of the arm and the four contacts

Apr 22nd, 2021, 17:03	#9
Volvo_133 VOC member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 18:48 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sheffield	I too am a Yorkshire man! I would want to use 1 of each of those rotors and caps to get the car sorted. Cannot tell you the clearance between the rotor and cap contacts when in operation, though it will be minute.

Apr 22nd, 2021, 18:59	#10
Volvo_133 VOC member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 18:48 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sheffield	To avoid any collision damage while trying your parts, take note the direction your rotor faces, remove distributor, you can now rotate your dizzy input shaft by hand with each of your 3 rotors in the 3 caps. From there refit dizzy with the rotor facing the same direction. If it starts ok, then the cap brush must be long enough and the rotor to cap gap be close enough. The arcing and tracking in your original cap was more than likely caused by traces of carbon from a worn brush. Check and clean the inside of the cap periodically to avoid a repeat issue. I ought to take my own advice, it is a couple of years since I looked in there! I do carry a spare cap, rotor arm, points and a condenser. I should not mention all the other bits, fuel pump etc! Chris.

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