Contact Breaker Fix Help

[mickeytwonames]

I have fitted a new contact breaker set and a similar problem occurs that happened with the old set.
After a short drive the contacts have closed up the gap.
The thread on the Holding screw is good and I have tried tightening it with 1) just a flat washer, 2) just a compression washer 3) both washers. I have a good screwdriver and strong hands but still the darn thing slips. Does anyone have, knowledge of this problem or how to work round this snafu?

[simmitc]

Although the thread on the screw is good, what about the thread in the plate? As you can get it tight, then it is probably OK, but this is one problem that I have never encountered before, so good luck, and I shall be interested to learn the eventual answer.

[les]

There is a small notch in the points plate to aid adjustment, perhaps you could tighten points as usual, then using this notch try to move the points, if they can be moved then the head of the screw is not clamping. I have heard of the screw being too long and hitting the backplate.

[beero]

Is it just the plastic heel on the points wearing down on the cam? Did you lubricate the cam at all? Could be poor quality points.

[bmcecosse]

Does the cam have some lubricant? Is the plastic heel wearing away ??

[mickeytwonames]

I have sorted out one Dizzy problem outlined above i.e. the contact breaker gap closing - What happened is that the retaining screw for the contact unit was a couple of thou too long and got caught in the A/R groove below not allowing them to open. A side effect was that the plastic heel of the contacts got too hot and melted slightly compounding the problem.

I think that I have sorted the problem out (I ain't been for a spin yet). However, the dizzy is sitting laterally in the car i.e. the vacuum unit is tight against the dynamo. As it sits upright in the service manual I thought that if I repositioned it accordingly and move the spark plug leads around I should get a better presentation BUT no matter how many anti-clockwise rotations round the dizzy cap I make with the leads it only seems to fire up with the Dizzy in the in the horizontal (with the plug leads in their original cap outlets) not the vertical position as in the manual. Can anyone offer a view?

The cap that I have on is the push-on lead type with a central push on contact for the coil lead - Can anyone tell me please - If their Dizzy is positioned in manual compliant manner which is the first lead connected to the anti-clockwise side of the arched low-tension lead cutout on the dizzy cap (i.e 1, 2, 3 or 4).

[MarkyB]

The distributor drive can be removed and replaced in a different position using one of the studs or a bolt threaded into it.
The details are in the manual.

[bmcecosse]

If you move the dizzy exactly 90 degrees anticlock - and then move all the leads 90 degrees clock - it WILL run.......

[simmitc]

If you do remove the drive gear then be careful when replacing it. It is an easy job, but it is also easy to drop the gear into the sump.

[mickeytwonames]

Fixed - Dizzy now in prime position - engine firing evenly - been on a 20 mile drive - sweet as a nut - many thanks for all encouragement and help. No what will be the next problem......Mmmmmmmm?