Distributor Problems

Post by **alanworland** » Wed May 20, 2009 11:04 pm

I had just returned from a 'mixture setting' journey with my new M9 needles, and thought I would check the timing.
I find it is just possible to see the timing mark through the radiator fins by positioning a tube light hung underneath the water pump, anyway the timing was retarded by about 5/16 of an inch.
Removing the cap I was faced with brass dust all over the place and a large amount of shake in the bearings, the rotor arm has been 'machining' the contacts in the cap!
I fitted replacement bushes a while ago but I think a lot of the wear is in the shaft making new bushes a waste of time.
I have put my old Cooper dstributor in (no vacuum advance) to keep the car mobile until I can replace the original.
Are there any figures available for the timing advance of the standard distrbutor? as the springs seem SO strong I cant imagine they would do any advance!

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed May 20, 2009 11:15 pm

The only figures in the manual are :- cent. adv. 18deg 22mins. Contact spring tension 20-24 ozs. Timing TDC
It sounds like a rebuild is in order. You never know, it might go better with a Cooper dizzy!
I wouldn't worry about using the timing mark, its an impossibility with a water pump fitted. Just go for fastest tickover and tweak it as necessary.
I have just PM/emailed you.

Post by **alanworland** » Wed May 20, 2009 11:33 pm

That advance figure quoted, is it at a particular RPM?
The timing mark can be seen, you must look throgh the grill! then through the rad!
Mesage received, will respond once contacted.

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed May 20, 2009 11:37 pm

Sorry, that should have been centrifugal governor 18, 22. I assume that's the bob weights.

Post by **RobThomas** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:12 am

If it helps, the Cooper S standard dissy (40819, IIRC) has the same max advance as the MM so you can time it to TDC in the same way as the MM and still get the same max advance when running at speed. Ought to keep you safe from blowing the engine. The advance curve of the S is quite rapid so you might get more advance in the mid range but fuel is better quality now so you OUGHT to be alright (if not better off)

YMMV.

Post by **alanworland** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:54 pm

Thats the distributor I have! This one has done about 80000 miles and there is no shake in the bearings, but they do appear to be of a sintered steel material rather than the normal bronze in the MM one.