Distributor Problems
Tony's car was showing signs of the recent club malady called Distributor Syndrome or Dave's Blues. After fiddling with the wires in the distributor and changing the condenser, the engine started, so the exact cause was unknown. After some investigation it was observed that the lower plate wire was very long and had signs of being pinched by the lower spring. The wire (A12148W) should be just long enough to clear the pressure spring when the plate is in the full retard (counter-clockwise) position Also the centre electrode of the condenser was turning while trying to remove the screw. This could cause separation of the inner foil from the electrode and result in intermittent operation and should be replaced with A12300SP. The distributor shaft also had some side play, which means the bushings (A12132) should be replaced. This condition will cause the timing and point gap to be erratic. Rotating play in the distributor shaft usually means that the slot at the bottom of the shaft is worn or has become wider. This can be corrected by filing the inner faces of the shaft slot so they are parallel and then carefully squeeze the sides to close the gap slightly.
A thin thrust washer (A12188) is required between the shaft ring (the part the cam rests on) and the distributor body to prevent the casting from wearing.
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