Distributor cap issues...???

DuckusCrapus · 03-12-2010, 08:48 AM

I am having an issue with the center button (coil to rotor tab) inside the cap burning out. Seems like the car will start to run a little rough, then miss on several cylinders and then total chaos. I start wondering what the issue is, and end up finding my cap looking like this. I don't drive the car too much, but this is the third cap in about a year and a half.

I am running all Mallory ignition parts. Unilite, Promaster coil and a HyFire 6AL box. I have heard of people having this issue with any ignition box, but wasn't sure what to believe.

Plugs read good and everythig else looks like brand new. Just the center button in the cap is charred. What do you think?

Old and new cap.

DuckusCrapus

64ChevSS · 03-12-2010, 10:37 AM

You may want to check if there is a large gap between the center button and the rotor.

FastChevy · 03-12-2010, 02:45 PM

we ran into the same problem using the box,,,,

GreenChevelleSS · 03-12-2010, 04:08 PM

spark plug gap too wide?

33willysgasr · 03-12-2010, 05:29 PM

It looks like the rotor is firing awful high on the posts, is there something keeping it from going all the way down on the shaft?(sic!) Is the spring on top of the rotor way high? Looks like it might be pushing the button all the way up into the cap instead of letting it "float". Just ideas....

FastFords · 03-12-2010, 10:04 PM

Check the shim betwin gear dis

gassers99 · 03-12-2010, 10:25 PM

you said 3 caps have you changed the bug,,, its dug into the tits and looks like its firing on one side of the element. cant be the cap 3 times,, bug or box!

DuckusCrapus · 03-12-2010, 11:29 PM

I checked the shaft end play when I installed the distributor and it was fine. Might need to pull and re-check. The rotor has been replaced once out of the three caps. I was going to change it out this time, but it looks brand new.

Thanks for the replies.

DuckusCrapus

gassers99 · 03-12-2010, 11:46 PM

wire around the box,, use a coil. that will tell the store on the box. that element is burnt so bad,,did you set that cap on one of your clutchs before instalation?? LOL

EzRiderGasser · 03-13-2010, 12:46 PM

Duck,
On a standard old GM HEI when that happened the ground strap would be left out of the cap. I'd check all of your grounds on your box and make sure all of your engine grounds are good and clean and tight.
I've seen that many times on the old HEI from no ground.
EZ

03-12-2010, 08:48 AM	#1
DuckusCrapus Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 5,148	Distributor cap issues...??? I am having an issue with the center button (coil to rotor tab) inside the cap burning out. Seems like the car will start to run a little rough, then miss on several cylinders and then total chaos. I start wondering what the issue is, and end up finding my cap looking like this. I don't drive the car too much, but this is the third cap in about a year and a half. I am running all Mallory ignition parts. Unilite, Promaster coil and a HyFire 6AL box. I have heard of people having this issue with any ignition box, but wasn't sure what to believe. Plugs read good and everythig else looks like brand new. Just the center button in the cap is charred. What do you think? Old and new cap. DuckusCrapus __________________ " If I wanted your opinon......I would have asked for it. "

03-12-2010, 10:37 AM	#2
64ChevSS Founding Floater Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, ON, Canada Posts: 609	You may want to check if there is a large gap between the center button and the rotor. __________________ Toichfaid Ar La!

03-12-2010, 04:08 PM	#4
GreenChevelleSS Duck'er Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tulsa Posts: 691	spark plug gap too wide? __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/id/3115ultima www.g3gm.com ^ New website for 73-77 GM A-bodies

03-12-2010, 05:29 PM	#5
33willysgasr Duck'er Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ark City, Kansas Posts: 825	It looks like the rotor is firing awful high on the posts, is there something keeping it from going all the way down on the shaft?(sic!) Is the spring on top of the rotor way high? Looks like it might be pushing the button all the way up into the cap instead of letting it "float". Just ideas.... __________________ "got safety tubes but i ain't scared, brakes are good, tires are fair..."

03-12-2010, 11:29 PM	#8
DuckusCrapus Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 5,148	I checked the shaft end play when I installed the distributor and it was fine. Might need to pull and re-check. The rotor has been replaced once out of the three caps. I was going to change it out this time, but it looks brand new. Thanks for the replies. DuckusCrapus __________________ " If I wanted your opinon......I would have asked for it. "

03-12-2010, 02:45 PM	#3
FastChevy Founding Floater Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,975	we ran into the same problem using the box,,,,

03-12-2010, 10:04 PM	#6
FastFords Hoser Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 101	Check the shim betwin gear dis

03-12-2010, 10:25 PM	#7
gassers99 Duckling Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 358	you said 3 caps have you changed the bug,,, its dug into the tits and looks like its firing on one side of the element. cant be the cap 3 times,, bug or box!

03-12-2010, 11:46 PM	#9
gassers99 Duckling Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 358	wire around the box,, use a coil. that will tell the store on the box. that element is burnt so bad,,did you set that cap on one of your clutchs before instalation?? LOL

03-13-2010, 12:46 PM	#10
EzRiderGasser Founding Floater Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 389	Duck, On a standard old GM HEI when that happened the ground strap would be left out of the cap. I'd check all of your grounds on your box and make sure all of your engine grounds are good and clean and tight. I've seen that many times on the old HEI from no ground. EZ

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