Technical distributer points

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Technical distributer points

flowerpower

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Oct 16, 2016
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have acquired ac coupe with 1800 motor mechanical advance distributer it appears I have to remove it to adjust contacts any help
 
So you have the old 1980s/90s Fiat Coupe/Spider?

If the distributor is a traditional electrical points, mechanical bob weights and vacuum advance then LOVELY as it is good old school technology.

To adjust/replace the points you have to remove the distributor cap (spring securing clips from body to cap). You then pull off the rotor arm (black or brown coloured arm sitting centrally and upper most under where the cap was). NOTE DO NOT attempt to remove the whole distributor body or loosen the nut around the base of the distributor body support as you *WILL* screw the timing up.

To adjust/replace/clean the points it fairly easy. Lets go for a clean and adjust.

1) You will see the dizzy has a square shaft with rounded corners. You will also see a spring loaded finger/pawl that touches the square shaped drive boss. Note the points are now fully open.

2) Rotate the engine by hand till the tip of the pawl is on the tip of a corner. Now take a piece of medium grade emery paper (400 to 800) and fold it in half to form a doubled sided finger strip. Place strip between the open points.

3) Rotate engine by hand till points close and grip the emery paper (pawl tip on flat of boss drive). Now gently push and pull / slide the emery paper to effectively sand the point's surfaces. 5 to 10 strokes is sufficient. Remove emery strip.

4) Rotate engine by hand until pawl is on the tip of the square. Now blow out and dirt/debris from between the point's contacts.

5) Setting the points gap. You will need a feeler gauge for this AND a gap value. The points gap value should be in your owner's handbook. One the base plate of the points you will see a set screw. Make a note of this and visually observe how it secures the two moving parts of the points. Insert the feeler gauge between the points. It may be loose or you may need to prise the points apart a little.

6) Keeping feeler gauge in place now release the set screw. The points will close/adjust to gently grip the feeler gauge. Gently tighten set screw (does not require much force. Remove feeler gauge.

7) Now rotate the engine by hand and check that the points start close as the pawl comes of the cam/corner peak. Continue to rotate checking that the points fully close and then open again as the next cam/corner peak approaches. Continue till the pawl is on the next cam peak. Now check that the feeler gauge fits snugly between the points.

8) Worth repeating 7) for a couple of more times. If all OK then it is time for 9)

9) Replace rotor arm

10) Replace distributor cap. NOTE The cap will have a keying boss and the distributor body will have a matching notch on the outer casing ring. Ensure these match and fit snugly together before applying the spring securing clips.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
thank you s130 for your response this is a 1968 model marelli dist
screw cap no clips no vac advance mechanical advance sits above contacts
feel sure I have to remove dist this is no drama just wanted to check
thanks again
 
Just remove rotor arm and adjust the contacts with screw. You will see screw has a cut out so contacts can move. Use feeler gauge to set. If contacts have burnt tips, replace contacts and rotor.
 
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