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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT S-10 Dist Cap

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fixerupper

10-03-2007 11:01:38




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This isn't a tractor question, but a lot of you guys on the board are pretty sharp in the automotive field, so here goes---. My '92 S-10 four cylinder eats distributor caps. When I bought it at 98000 Mi. I was told by the previous owner that I would have to replace the cap every six months because it cracks, and the owner before him, who I think bought it new, said the same thing.Is this the nature of the beast or what? What causes this? I just now replaced the cap and it was cracked plus the center tower was eaten up inside the cap. The stud in the tower pulled out with the coil wire and fell apart. This cap had about 6000 miles on it, but the pickup started acting up a couple of months before I pulled the cap off. I also replaced the plug wires along with the new cap this time, but the old wires checked out the same as the new ones on the OHM meter. Jim

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36 coupe

10-04-2007 04:03:06




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 Re: OT S-10 Dist Cap in reply to fixerupper, 10-03-2007 11:01:38  
I had an old Plymouth that suffered from moisture inside the cap.I put an oven baking bag over the cap.If water splash is cracking the cap this will fix it.



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Jon Hagen

10-03-2007 18:28:50




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 Re: OT S-10 Dist Cap in reply to fixerupper, 10-03-2007 11:01:38  
Does the cap crack up the side ? I had one engine where the aluminum dist housing was apparently machined a bit oversize. The cap was a very tight fit and expansion of the dist housing when it heated up was enough to split the cap. The fix was to use a die grinder to slightly grind away the distributor where the cap touched the housing. Try a NAPA cap, great quality plastic with all brass terminals. If it cracks between terminals,then I would bet Allen is right that the distributor is not venting ozone or moisture and flashing over at the terminals.

I have seen drag cars with killer race CD ignition systems that had a mystery misfire problem atabout 1/2 track, that needed a couple of 1/2 inch holes drilled in the cap to allow ozone to escape.

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Rick Kr

10-03-2007 15:26:39




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 Re: OT S-10 Dist Cap in reply to fixerupper, 10-03-2007 11:01:38  
Use to have a 73 Buick. Distributor in the front of the engine. About every other time you hit a big puddle the cap would crack.

this was the cheap replacement one. went and got an OEM, little thicker and lasted about 2 years.

But I cant remember where the dist is on your 4 cyl, if water splashing would affect it.

Just a thought,
Rick



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fixerupper

10-03-2007 17:17:47




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 Re: OT S-10 Dist Cap in reply to Rick Kr, 10-03-2007 15:26:39  
That's what a mechanic told the previus owner. The Dist is down there on the right side behind the wheel and it gets splashed on. I checked it out and the vent is open, the shaft doesn't wiggle and the rotor looks normal. What I did find was a loose tie rod end when I put the wheel back on. You guys know what it's like - you look for one problem and find another one. Thanks for the helpful ideas. Jim

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doogdoog

10-03-2007 14:45:27




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 Re: OT S-10 Dist Cap in reply to fixerupper, 10-03-2007 11:01:38  
Aloha, Sounds like the distributor shaft has too much play. Remove the dist. and check it out and maybe the bushing is worn if there is one.

Mahalo,
doogdoog



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fixerupper

10-03-2007 15:10:34




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 Re: OT S-10 Dist Cap in reply to doogdoog, 10-03-2007 14:45:27  
I'll check your ideas out this eve. Thanks.Jim



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Allan In NE

10-03-2007 14:33:29




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 Re: OT S-10 Dist Cap in reply to fixerupper, 10-03-2007 11:01:38  
The vent in the bottom of the distributor housing is plugged.

Clean it out so that the heat can get away and it will put an end to that dance.

Allan



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Vern-MI

10-03-2007 13:47:49




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 Re: OT S-10 Dist Cap in reply to fixerupper, 10-03-2007 11:01:38  
Cut the old cap in half vertically and then put it in place with the new rotor to see how well it aligns and makes contact with the center post. Maybe the rotor spring tab is not in contact with the cap center post and the arching is causing a heating and erosion failure.



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