Distributor grounding out

[Rodney Bullock]

Oh Boy, The plymouth was runningt fine all day. I put it back in the garage and it sputtered and cut off. It's back to doing the same thing. I looked for spark at the plugs and it was there, I looked for spark at the points and the spark was at the base of the points and not at the contacts what am I missing here? What would make the points spark at the base( no more washers in there) any thoughts I am supposed to take it to a show Saturday:confused:

[suntennis]

What do you mean by spark at base of points? Is any end of the spark at a point surface?

[desoto1939]

Rodney,

Check to see if the breaker plate is grounding itself to the body of the dizzy.

Where the breaker plate sticks out of the dizzy body and the wire attaches from the coil there should be a rubber gasket or piece of rubber that fits into the slot and also there should a piece of bakelite under the tab that sticks out. If this is missing then the metal tab is making contact with the dizzy and then you short.

Also check all of the little wires on the breaker plate as they move as the breaker plate advances these wire wear off the covering and can also ground pout the dizzy.

Rich Hartung

[greg g]

Time for another dizzy???

[Rodney Bullock]

Hi all, Rich This little peice of bakelite I should be able to see it while the dist is in the car or do I have to remove the dist. to see it? I called around yesterday and most said it had something to do with the wire connecting to the dist. The little wires inside are new however i will take another look at them as well. Where the coil wire connects to the dist. should there be a special washer there? could that be what I found in the dist a week before? it's funny this problem only happens when it rains:confused:when it's dry it runs great.

[Rodney Bullock]

What do you mean by spark at base of points? Is any end of the spark at a point surface?

it sparks at the base of the points not at the contacts. It should spark when you separate the arm from the contact

[Don Coatney]

Rodney;

You have seen this picture before.

Look closley and you will see an electrical insulator surrounding the hunk of metal where the wire from the coil connects to the distributor. This insulator is somewhat red/brown in color. You will see another insulator the same color at the opposite end of the wire that the screwdriver is pointing to. If these insulators are not intact your distributor will ground internally and that appears to be your problem.

[Rodney Bullock]

Don , thanks as always. I have seen this pic before and it seems we have had the conversation before also, I wonder what I did then? I am going down to the car later today. My question now is if this insulation is flawed how do I fix it. Do I have to get another dist. or if I send it away for a rebuild will they repair this? Great pic showing all the components:D

[greg g]

Rodney, when I discovered bad insulatioin on that wire in my original dizzy, removed the wire, then I wrapped it with a couple layers of silk thread, then coated that with rubber cement. I have since gone to another dist, but that repair worked well, stopped the shorting out and remained flexable enough to allow the breaker plate to move. Used it that way for two or three years.

[Rodney Bullock]

I boxed it up and I am sending the dist. to "Then and Now" to have it rebuilt. I have had that dist. for 12 years and It has never had a new parts. Those little wires are very fragle. I like driving that car and would like for it to be trouble free. While the car is down I can rebild the heat riser:D

[Jim Saraceno]

You can buy those replacement wires at NAPA. Go to their site and look for "distributor - lead wires".

[JIPJOBXX]

Back a few months ago I was going around in circles with my distributor and finally bought a new old stock distributor plate, points and condenser. All my problems have gone away and I might suggest you do the same. Here is one for sale on E-Bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1942-1948-DODGE-DISTRIBUTOR-BREAKER-PLATE-IGS-3004-J-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem588a7e9633QQitemZ380280673843QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Tom Skinner]

Rodney,

Those Breaker plates are on ebay regularly for about $30-$40 S&H included.

I bought one and put it in my Distributor and everything runs Great now

Tom

[Rodney Bullock]

When I first built my car 12 years ago those plates were everywhere. I have installed them. when the points went bad. For the last 3 or 4 years I have not been able to find the right one so I started just installing the points and condenser. It would be alot easier to replace the tray. My dist has some play in the shaft so I think it's time for a rebuild. For the future I sure would like to get a spare.

[JIPJOBXX]

Here is another vender that you can get the complete set up you need and this is the guy that I bought mine from. Jon

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1942-1946-1948-Dodge-Plymouth-trk-distributor-plate-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35acd08fc5QQitemZ230532616133QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Don Coatney]

I boxed it up and I am sending the dist. to "Then and Now" to have it rebuilt. I have had that dist. for 12 years and It has never had a new parts. Those little wires are very fragle. I like driving that car and would like for it to be trouble free. While the car is down I can rebild the heat riser:D

Did you get your distributor back yet?

[Rodney Bullock]

Yes and it's perfect. I have not installed it. Tomorrow morning:) cross your fingers and toes;)