Distributor Only Turning Part Way

C

ctltmp

Well-known member
I didn't notice this until today. I went to gap the points and the distributor only turns maybe a quarter turn and most. It's out of the tractor on the bench. Any ideas?

I'll be making another post (at least).

Thanks in advance!
 
remove the plate that the points mount on, check the weights under it to make sure they are free to move, springs are not broke, lube them up
 
ctltmp said:
I went to gap the points and the distributor only turns maybe a quarter turn and most.
Click to expand...
Hi,
I don't know what you mean.
If the distributor shaft and cam that opens and closes the points doesn't keep turning when the engine is turning, or the shaft stops turning after turning a small amount, the problem may be the gear on the end of the distributor shaft. It is held on with a pin through the shaft. The pin may have come out of the gear. I think the ends of the pin are staked, or hammered to expand the ends, to keep the pin from coming out.
If you took the whole Battery Ignition unit off the engine, the gear I am talking about is on the distributor shaft, you have to take the 2 clamps off the base, that holds the distributor to the base, and the distributor pulls out of the base. That is the timing adjustment, you turn the distributor at the 2 clamps.
When it is properly timed, the post for the small wire on the side of the distributor should face about straight to the right.
The gear has to be put in in the right position so it can be timed right.
It's better to turn the engine to number 1 cylinder TDC before removing the Battery Ignition unit, so the timing can be set right.
The Cub service manual says to use a timing light to set the timing, with a Battery Ignition unit, when the engine is running. :)
 
Last edited:
Glen said:
Hi,
I don't know what you mean.
If the distributor shaft and cam that opens and closes the points doesn't keep turning when the engine is turning, or the shaft stops turning after turning a small amount, the problem may be the gear on the end of the distributor shaft. It is held on with a pin through the shaft. The pin may have come out of the gear. I think the ends of the pin are staked, or hammered to expand the ends, to keep the pin from coming out.
If you took the whole Battery Ignition unit off the engine, the gear I am talking about is on the distributor shaft, you have to take the 2 clamps off the base, that holds the distributor to the base, and the distributor pulls out of the base. That is the timing adjustment, you turn the distributor at the 2 clamps.
When it is properly timed, the post for the small wire on the side of the distributor should face about straight to the right.
The gear has to be put in in the right position so it can be timed right.
It's better to turn the engine to number 1 cylinder TDC before removing the Battery Ignition unit, so the timing can be set right.
The Cub service manual says to use a timing light to set the timing, with a Battery Ignition unit, when the engine
Click to expand...

ctltmp said:
Fixed! Thanks to all.
Click to expand...
Would you be willing to share with all of us what the cause was? I’m sure others are curious like me?
 
Believe it or not it was the screw that holds the condenser. It was just a little too long. When I took the distributor apart you could see where it had been rubbing on the plate.
 
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