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MG MG Y Type - Distributor position

I still haven't got round to fitting my 1-2-3-electronic dizzy, so was adjusting the Lucas points once more last weekend. What I found then was: I could just adjust the breaker to TDC, any more advance is impossible because the straight portion of the distributor cap butts against the breather pipe. I never saw any reference to which side the flat portion should point. On my engine it always pointed towards the block - is this perhaps wrong ?
Remo Peter

It doesnt matter too much which way round the distributor is, although as you have found you have much more movement if it is positioned with the flat part away from the engine.

Before you take it out, turn the engine over by crank until you get No 1 cylinder at top dead center. You can figure this out by inserting a screwdriver into the spark plug hole and feeling for the piston coming up and both the number one valves being closed. Then remove and reposition the distributor without turning the engine, replace the rotor and it will be pointing at the position where you will want Number 1 plug lead to be. Re-order your cap leads as necessary in the order 1, 3, 4, 2 in the same rotation as the rotor would rotate (I cant remember off hand if this is anticlock or clockwise, but once you have Number 1 plug lead in the correct hole on the distributor cap it will be OK to turn the engine over by crank to see which way it goes).

By the way, do not turn the engine with the screwdriver actually in the hole - you will smash your piston to bits ... and maybe bend the screwdriver too!

Paul
Paul Barrow

Thanks a lot Paul, comprehensive and competent, as always.
Rotor turns anti-clockwise.
Have you bent screwdrivers yourself in the way you warn me against ?
Remo Peter

No but I know someone who did - the Screwdriver was ideal for getting in hard to get places but the engine was a piece of junk afterwards.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Whilst we are on the subject of distributors - on mine if I twist the shaft in a rotational direction by holding the rotor arm I get a fair bit of free play - how do I tell what is excessive movement?
Also what causes this - is where the drive meets the camshaft?
David Mullen

Masaaki is best to advise you on this. However, determine first if the freeplay is the rotor arm on the shaft or the shaft in the distributor I would suggest. If it is the former, then either replace the rotor arm with one that fits better, or pack slot on the shaft by putting a small piece of electricians tape on the inside bump of the rotor arm.

After that ... you are in the hands of the experts!!

Paul
Paul Barrow

This thread was discussed between 14/07/2008 and 16/07/2008

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