Help needed with Distributor

milwaukeesk

milwaukeesk

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A small project just got ugly...

I purchased the pertronics electronic ignition for my bavaria to convert over the points... sorry i'm posting in the e9 section just thought more may see it here.

The install was very easy, popped off the dist cap, pulled the points, condenser, screwed in the plate, the module, added the magnet collar, hooked of the wires, black to the coil, red to the ballast on the ignition side and away I thought I would go.

I went to start the car, had the hood still open and I noticed the entire distributor push up and out about and inch or so. I thought I was seeing things. I never pulled the full distributor when installing, nor did I loosen. I went to push it back down and tighten and noticed the rotor will not freely spin... so I can't line it up to the center point. It rotates about half the way and then back again. It won't allow a full rotation. I got to the point that I pulled the full distributor and still can't freely rotate the rotor or the gear shaft. It's like it's locked down to a half turn.

I'm very new at this stuff so I may be missing something obvious but at the moment, I'm stuck. Any idea what may have gone wrong.

Note, the car ran fine with the points prior to my swap and I didnt touch anything but what I described above.

Thanks for your help and wisdom.
 
Just a bearing

So put it in the vice
and see if it moves
if not 1/10000
of the bearing going out
thats all thats there
UNLESS A SCREW FELL INTO THE PLATE
 
Pull the rotor off and the felt pad under it. Check the circlip holding everything in, is it in place or has it popped out?
 
I think I got it.... I realized after I pulled off the condenser I put a slightly longer screw into the hole, versus the just shorter one that was there. That must have been enough to lock it up. What a relief.

Now on to setting the timing...that should be fun. I know a bunch of threads talk to this task so I'll go digging, but if you have any beginner boiled down recommendations, i'm all ears.

Thanks again for the quick help.
 
Thanks Steve,

Quick question, I lined up the TDC based on the marking on the vibration damper (O/T)...and reinserted the distribute as advised so when inserting the rotor aligns correctly.

When I went to start car I'm getting some backfiring out of the carbs and it's not starting. Does that mean i'm off on TDC. Am I, 180 degrees away? IF so, how do I know I have it right?

Thanks
 
Match the damper TDC mark to the timing cover again and check that the O/T ball is in the timing window, if it isn't then you are 180 degrees off, go around once more on the damper and check again. Then redo your dist rotor so it is in the correct 7-8 oclockish position like in the manual. If you position it correctly the rotor will turn into the correct position as inserted, if it doesn't then remove and adjust accordingly and try again.
 
milwakeesk said:
I realized after I pulled off the condenser I put a slightly longer screw into the hole, versus the just shorter one that was there. That must have been enough to lock it up.
Click to expand...

The prior owner did the same to my distributor. It bent the mechanical advance mechanism and made a mess of the timing.
 
I would disassemble the distributer and check all the components since it went through such a violent twist that it was forced out of the upper timing cover against the clinch bolt. It is not too hard. Make sure the weights move freely and that nothing is broken/stuck/bent...
 
Thanks guys... I think I have it sorted out. Fortunately it must have been in there a little loose so it pushed out without much resistance. Everything seemed to be checking out fine after I backed out that screw. Spins freely, etc... I was careful when troubleshooting not to crank on it too hard. I'll cross my fingers for now.

I put everything back together last night, was able to set the timing by ear (for the moment) and the car sounds/hums better than it ever as. It ran very rough prior to the ignition swap. I replaced the spark plugs for good measure and early indications are good.

I need to pick up a timing light next to ensure timing is correct, or else maybe i'll just take it in... and have the dual webers sync'd right away. I'm getting close!
 
milwakeesk said:
I need to pick up a timing light next to ensure timing is correct, or else maybe i'll just take it in... and have the dual webers sync'd right away. I'm getting close!
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have the skills and may be more rewarded by doing it yourself!
Nice to read a problem through to a conclusion concisely and on topic.

Cheers A
 
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