Distributor cap query

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catman275

catman275

Well-Known Member
Full Member
Posts
351
Location
Poole Dorset
Nov 1983 Series 3 currently in bits off road.
Hi, should a cap ( not rotor) on a Ducelier distributor rotate a little? I thought they had a lug or something to maintain its position on the body.
It seems the only way the one on my one stays in position is by the locking clips.
cheers Peter.
 
Lug is visible here

distributor-cap-ducellier-1958-to-1968-130-p.jpg
 
A November 83’ model? Mine’s an October! Must be close to the last of the production run. What’s the vehicle history?
 
Hi .
A bit late to check now as just got home from the pub. But the cap is not secure in the body. I will take photo of it .

No idea about the history except my eldest son had it for about 18 months with no problems apart from the gearbox.
He took the gearbox out to refurb and found a rotton chassis.
He bought a new galvanised chassis then gave up and me and my second son took it over..
The distributor is how he left it.

cheers Peter
 
Hi Beasty here is a photo of the body. My cap is different from yours. I suppose i do have a ducellier unit. It is the only one in the book with an outside condenser
IMG_0853.JPG
I think.

Cheers peter
 
The cap I have is not like the one in the photo, but it was fitted to the distributor pterhaps it was the wrong one but still worked?
photo attached.
IMG_0854.JPG
 
catman275 said:
The cap I have is not like the one in the photo, but it was fitted to the distributor pterhaps it was the wrong one but still worked?
photo attached. View attachment 147057
Click to expand...

Yep I'd say that cap doesn't match the body, It'd work....ish as the clips hold it roughly in position.

Caps aren't expensive so you just need one like in my pic with the location lug in the rim.
 
Thanks for the input guys,
I have ordered new parts from coil through to plugs I just hope the new cap fits.
cheers peter
 
Hi folks,
Update.... Just received new parts.. The cap is the correct one this time and fits properly we also have a spark from a plug.
We want to to run it for a short while. With the crank pully set at tdc. Number one cylinder is nearest the rotor arm with it turning anti clockwise. Is this correct? firing 1342.
Any advice on starting an engine that has been sitting for a few years? We only want to hear it fire for a little while then carry on the work.

Thanks Peter.
 
I take it you’ve put fresh oil in it. I would remove the spark plugs and squirt a little oil down the bores. Then turn the engine over by hand to coat the bores.

Norrie.
 
Hi folks,
We fitted new parts all seemed ok turned the engine over, oil light went out did not fire but noticed the distributor cap was moving.... took it off , checked rotor arm was securely in , refitted and had another go. Cap still moving. is this a sign of a knackered distributor?

cheers Peter
 
with the cap off can you move the shaft much sideways if so bearings/ bushes might be too worn.
Does the rotor arm match the cap you have bought?
 
Hi The cap and rotor are the correct ones. Hardly any side movement on the shaft. Engine was running fne until it was pulled out for a chassis change.
It mighy bem y eyesihtg.
 
Has the distributor been bent when engine removed?
Take cap off and get some one to turn engine over whilst watching the distribitor shaft turn from above.
 
Hi, thanks for the input.
The cap seems to be ok now, I must have had it on a bit wonky.
However, we have the engine running and its seems to run evenly. We put the radiator back on filled with water, it took a while to pump the petrol around from a plastic bottle but it ran in the end.
Problems on the way, we had fitted new coil, points,condenser rotor and cap. Had the new ht leads and plugs as back up.
I broke the female spade connector to the + terminal coil from the ignition. Crimped a new one on and put it back on the - terminal turned it over and wondered where the smoke was coming from. Replaced the burnt points and lead and condenser. I had bought spares.
The ignition lead was also frazzled but was servicable. Checked we still had a spark, and carried on trying to get it started.
It took about half an hour, flooded it twice, changed the plugs to the new ones and then it farted into life. A bit noisy as we had no exhaust on.
Now back to the refurb.

cgeers Peter
 
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