V8 Distributor

D

DAV8

Member
Hi All,
Calling all dizzy experts, can you please help. I recently had cause to change the moving plate in the dizzy (the one that moves with the advance/retard unit) the reason I changed this is because I could not attain a satisfactory reading on the multimeter, i.e. 26 to 28 deg (15 thou gap at the points) I could set it up and after a short run check again and the reading could be 20 deg up to 30 deg!! I then noticed there was excessive play on the small pivot (the brass bush was well worn) so I fitted a spare moving plate and bingo! spot on reading, however, the short wire that is connected from the moving plate to the dizzy base plate had all the insulating cover on the wire had disintegrated over time, I wrapped some insulating tape round it but then I had some running problems as this wire is not as good as the original. I note that this wire, as well as being secured with small clamps is also "soldered" into the moving plate, so, can anyone tell me exactly what this small wire does? I suspect that this is the cause of my running problems. Many thanks
Best Regards DAV8
Dave
 
Hi, I agree, I would advise against using a piece of wire as it may restrict movement.
For an easy and cheap source of braid, because that is what it is. Get a short length
of TV co-axial cable slice off the outer insulation without damaging the screening
mesh, remove this mesh and holding each end pull gently. You should now have a piece
of braid, If you don't think it is thick enough, slip another piece over it and pull it again.
The coil will draw 4 or 5 amps which will be going through this braid.
Hope this helps!

Colin
 
Hello Harvey & Colin,
Thanks for the info' Yep!, I thought the wire is and earth but why does an earth wire linking two pieces of metal need an insulating cover?, I have had a good look at this wire again today and I note that both ends are soldered onto the small clamps (is this a case of "belt and braces") so Colin, are you suggesting that I release the soldered ends and re-solder them to the braid?. Thanks again Dave
 
Hi, Dave. The earth link is there because the moving base plate can't be relied on to have
a consistent electrical contact with the body of the distributor. It is usually made of braided
copper because it can carry more current and is flexible so won't restrict the movement of
the base plate. If it was insulated that suggests that it may have been replaced in the past.
If you want to replace it because you don't think it's working electrically then then was the
reason for my suggestion. There is certainly no reason for it to be insulated. If you think
it's OK then leave it alone, but it certainly won't hurt to touch a soldering iron onto the joins
to remelt the solder because there maybe a dry joint.

Colin
 
Hi Colin,
Thanks for the further advice. I have had a short run today of about 12 miles (the sun is out in Sheffield) and everything seems okay, what I have now at the moving plate is the replacement (the insulatiion on this was completely shot!) so I used a piece of normal insulating from household wire, (didn't fancy doing a soldering job) split it down its length and fitted round the earth wire, it's not great as it is a bit too rigid but it seems okay, the dry joint as you say could be an issue!, lots of WD40 round that for now.
Thanks again
Dave.
 
colnerov said:
If it was insulated that suggests that it may have been replaced in the past.
Click to expand...

If it's a Lucas dizzy the earth lead would of been insulated with a fabric covering, not plastic. I think it's more for physical than electrical protection as the wire is made up of very fine strands to be very flexible and the strands are easily broken.

Yours
Vern
 
Hi Vern,
It was indeed covered with a type of fabric which as I said has disintegrated over the years, and the wire is made of very fine strands some of which have broken.
Thanks Vern
Dave
 
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