Distributor Mistake

[thisuldoit]

Ok, I replaced the spark plugs, wires, rotor and was reinstalling the cap when I tighetened one of the four screws too hard and cracked the plastic housing. This is a brand new cap, so I was wondering if there is any way to repair this? Can I just superglue the crack shut, can I put some black caulk over the crack, or do I need to replace the cap all together. The old cap is not is good shape and must be replaced.

Second, I have a thunderbolt ignition and when I went to try and turn the rotor by hand it did not move? I have the shop manual which states I should be able to turn it clockwise and it will snap back to position, but I was wondering if this was the case with my ignition.

 

[Don S]

Re: Distributor Mistake

Replace the cap, and consider it a lesson learned. Get all the screws started then tighten down evenly.
A cracked cap will soon develop into being towed in.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Distributor Mistake

Change the cap as Don says. Any moisture gets in there the boat won't start. And rest assured, it will happen when your out on the water.

 

[thisuldoit]

Re: Distributor Mistake

Yeah, that's what I thought. Thank you for the advice.

How about the rotor not freely turning? Is that just the type of ignition or should it turn and snap back to the original position?

 

[thisuldoit]

Re: Distributor Mistake

On more question...

Is there an equivalent GM part # for the distributor cap that I can purchase at Napa or Autozone? The boat specs are MCM 4.3 Litre, 262 CID displacement, 6 cyl GM block, and 175 horsepower with Thurderbolt Ignition.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Distributor Mistake

How about the rotor not freely turning? Is that just the type of ignition or should it turn and snap back to the original position?

i don't know yer thunderbolt ign. but i would suspect that the rotor should snap back. the springy feeling ya get when ya rotate the rotor would be the centrifical (mechanical) advance weights that are spring loaded.

as for yer dist. cap. get a marine one. the contacts inside the cap are different at the very least. auto parts generealy don't belong on boats....

 

[thisuldoit]

Re: Distributor Mistake

Thank you.

As for the rotor, it does not turn by hand at all. It will only turn when the engine is cranked.

 

[Don S]

Re: Distributor Mistake

The rotor shouldn't turn at all (By Hand), it's geared to the cam, that is what turns it when the engine is running. The Thunderbolt distributor is all electronic, so there are no springs and weights for the advance that ziggy mentioned. It's all done electronically.
It's a Mercruiser designed distributor, and has never been used in automotive, but some automotive stores sell the Sierra brand of aftermarket marine parts. I know our NAPA store carries that line.

 

[thrasher]

Re: Distributor Mistake

If the rotor does not rotate by hand then you have only 2 possibilities:-
1) the centrifugal advance has seized up (you need to take it apart and clean or you will not get your engine to rev very high)
2) you don't have a centrifugal advance (the CDI takes care of the advance as the revs increase).
I do not know wether your CDI does or does not have the advance function built in, so you need to research the subject a bit more.

Gary

 

[ziggy]

Re: Distributor Mistake

The Thunderbolt distributor is all electronic, so there are no springs and weights for the advance that ziggy mentioned. It's all done electronically.

thanks dons.......i was hopeing someone that knew the facts would starighten thisuldoit (and me) out.....

 

[thisuldoit]

Re: Distributor Mistake

Thank you everyone, especially Don S. I am glad to hear that all is well with the rotor, and I am off to to the marina to buy a marine distributor.

Thanks!