Distributer Testor

[old rat 49]

Looking for someone who can test/repair an old dual point distributor ? Someone with an old Sun unit maybe.  Help appreciated. This is for my brother in the Detroit area.

[Mark D]

One of our forum members here on Mass has one. Member name is Moose__. He tested mine for me last summer.

[Don Coatney]

Using an electric drill, a power supply, and a dwell meter you can dial in a distributor (single or dual points) on your workbench at home.

 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

I believe Don, the man is wanting a report back on bushing run out, advance curve (mechanical weight actions) and probably total advance at X vacuum/RPM  this would bee the need for the Sun Dist. machine..this would also detect any bad points plate but if memory is correct..the dual points plate is bearing supported..

Edited June 22, 2013 by Plymouthy Adams

[Don Coatney]

I sure did not read anything about bushing run out, advance curve (mechanical weight actions) and probably total advance at X vacuum/RPM in the original posting. Was it between the lines?

[Plymouthy Adams]

_{everyone see things different, to me, the word repair inferred that these test would need to be made to ensure the distributor performed to the proper specification as original..without the proper diagnostic equipment, one would be only guessing...folks have trouble using a 12 volt timing light on a 6 volt car..how could you even guess they could do the 180 swap for bushing checking, use a tach in conjunction with the timing light to check advance mechanically with the vacuum disconnected at the curve points specified in the repair manual....then at the very end dial in the vacuum advance using the proper timing light...and adjust accordingly with the proper sized shims..}

[Don Coatney]

The first step in doing distributor (or any other) work is to read the book. Of interest my book did not give any tolorence levels for distributor bushing run-out. However run-out can be measured using a dial indicator and checked at speed using a variable speed electric drill and a dwell meter tachometer. A dial indicator can also be used to read contact point opening.

 

A hand vacuum generator works well to set the vacuum advance curve. I have instructed many folks on how to do this shim adjustment procedure. For a P-15 vacuum advance begins at 2 degrees @ 6 3/4" of mercury and is full in 10 degrees @ 14" of mercury. Mechanical advance for a P-15 is 3 degrees @ 400 RPM's and full advance is 9 degrees @ 1300 RPM's.Dwell angle on aa P-15 with single points is 35-38 degrees. With dual points the dwell angle will increase to 46-48 degrees.

 

Every one of these measurments and adjustments can be done at home with a few basic tools. In my opinion use of a distributor machine would be nice but unless you are building a flat out race car you can adjust everything within range without use of such machine.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Don..you and I are on the same page..it is the people who do not have access to these tools and know the procedure that make requests for these services...

[old rat 49]

Guys, this is for a vintage Italian race car and needs the complete work over. Trying to help my older brother out. When I can come up with a couple of suggestions for him I will forward info to him.

Edited June 24, 2013 by old rat 49