Holes in bottom of MerCruiser distributor

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oregonrafter

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Aug 22, 2011
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I have a 1997 mercruiser 4.3 that I'm trying to resurrect. It came with a thunderbolt distributor, but has no rotor or cap. There are 4 holes in a line in the bottom of the "cup" of the distributor. Should these holes be plugged, or are they supposed to be vent holes? ...I don't see any other vent hole in the distributor - only these 4 holes in the bottom.

Thanks for your help! -Mike
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Holes in bottom of MerCruiser distributor

oregonrafter said:
I have a 1997 mercruiser 4.3 that I'm trying to resurrect. It came with a thunderbolt distributor, but has no rotor or cap. There are 4 holes in a line in the bottom of the "cup" of the distributor. Should these holes be plugged, or are they supposed to be vent holes? ...I don't see any other vent hole in the distributor - only these 4 holes in the bottom.

Thanks for your help! -Mike
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... Post some pictures,....

Many of those distributors vent threw an elbow fittin' in the cap itself,...

Shouldn't be any open holes,...

Screw holes for the trigger maybe,..??
 
alldodge

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Re: Holes in bottom of MerCruiser distributor

oregonrafter said:
I have a 1997 mercruiser 4.3 that I'm trying to resurrect. It came with a thunderbolt distributor, but has no rotor or cap. There are 4 holes in a line in the bottom of the "cup" of the distributor. Should these holes be plugged, or are they supposed to be vent holes? ...I don't see any other vent hole in the distributor - only these 4 holes in the bottom.

Thanks for your help! -Mike
Click to expand...

Howdy mike
As Bondo mentioned, pics would help a bunch. Does your distributer look like this

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_Pictures3.asp?dnbr=809969 96&ivar=images/COMMON/12973.png&inbr=1937&bnbr=50&bdesc=DISTRIBUTOR+AND+IGNITION+COMPONENTS
 
NHGuy

NHGuy

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Re: Holes in bottom of MerCruiser distributor

Yup, there are threaded holes for the sensor to screw into my dizz, bet it's what you are seeing.
 
O

oregonrafter

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Aug 22, 2011
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Re: Holes in bottom of MerCruiser distributor

It's totally strange. The holes are meant to be there, as the bottom of the distributor "cup" is molded around them. They aren't threaded, and there are no screens in them.

AllDodge: Yes, the distributor looks like the one in the schematic you linked-to. It has the Thunderbolt electronic sensor assembly (#6) in the schematic.

I've tried and tried to post pictures. I think the forum won't let me, because I don't have a lot of posts. I think they're scared I'm going to post some girly pictures, or sumpn' deviant. I'll try to post some to a different site and link to it, unless you guys can give me a clue as to why my pictures won't upload.
 
tazrig

tazrig

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Re: Holes in bottom of MerCruiser distributor

on the up loader sometimes you have to use the button marked "basic uploader"
 
GA_Boater

GA_Boater

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Re: Holes in bottom of MerCruiser distributor

If you click IMG under the Links To Share in PB, you paste right into your post. Like this:



 
alldodge

alldodge

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Re: Holes in bottom of MerCruiser distributor

I think there just vent holes so moisture won't build up. My TB-4 distributer cap also has a vent on the cap

Distributor Cap - Sierra
 
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