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MG MG Y Type - Distributor Screw

I should probably ask this in the TD section but I'll give it a try here first...

I decided to oil the dizzy in the YB today. The first thing I noticed was a screw in the oil hole which is something I've never seen in any of my other cars. At first I figured it was a DPO thing and removed it, and then proceeded to drip a bit of oil down the hole. Next I figured I'd feel for play in the shaft. As I began to lift the shaft I thought to myself "Maybe I shouldn't pull up on this until I know what that screw is for". Too late, the shaft came up over half an inch.

Now I can't tell if the shaft went back in all the way and the screw does not tighten to a full stop, but rather progressively tightens as if it's pulling on something adjustable. The car does start and run fine but I'm afraid to drive it until I know I haven't caused a potential problem.

Any input would be appreciated!
Steve Simmons

Which oil hole do you mean? I assume you mean the top of the shaft under the rotorarm?

From memory I'd say that normally on top of the screw there is a piece of felt/foam, maybe that's why you didn't notice it before? You don't need to remove the screw for oiling. I think it SHOULD be there because it holds the top of the distributor shaft that controls the centrifugal weights and on which the points-cam is situated.

When you pull that part up too much, you may have shifted/dislodged the centrifugal weights and/or their springs.

If I were you I'd pull the distributor for a thorough cleaning, checking, fine point-adjustment and correct assembly. Not hard to do and a very satisfactory job when done! If you mark the current position of the dizzy and HT-leads in situ, you can drop it back without much timing worries.

The only warning I give you is to CAREFULLY mark (take a photo) the correct position of the springs and weights. Almost everytime I do a distributor I get called away for something else and mess things up on assembly......
Willem van der Veer

Also if I were you I Steve, I would take a quick photo of the relative position of the distributor before removal so that you have a memory tickler for reassembly into the engine and during the strip down.

Provided you pulled the entire distributor straight up, and then pushed it staright back down you should not have disturbed the timing at all.

If you want to get your distributor rebuilt I can highly recomend you consider using Masaaki Sakaguchi (Japan). Mine is smashing now. See his link on the Links Page under Suppliers, Distributor rebuilds.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Steve,

the last thing I would do is remove your distributor from the engine if the car has been running Ok before your loosened the screw. There is a danger that you could loose the ignition timing. Although this is not difficult to overcome, it's not necessary to make more work for yourself.

All you need to do is undo the two small screws on each side of the base plate and lift it out of the way.
Let it dangle gently and take a look underneath. There you'll find the balance weights, toggle links and springs. It sounds as though you've lifted the cam upwards and although the car may be running , if the cam hasn't been pushed back home properly you could be having problems in the near future as the hardened pegs below the cam cross piece may not have located properly in the toggle links.

Blimey, all sounds a bit too technical. If you would like me to send you an exploded view of the workings below the base plate send me an email.

Jack
J.L. Murray

Thanks everyone. I'll get out to the garage this weekend and check it out. I appreciate all the info both on and off the BBS.
Steve Simmons

Jack, you are right of course that it is safer to leave the dizzy in situ.
But because of my rather sensitive back I don't like to lean forward too long, so even when I change points I remove the dizzy.... and I forget now what the saying is but "practise makes....."
Willem van der Veer

Willem,

I believe the phrase is completed as "Practice makes ... a pain in the butt."

Some people however believe that "Practice makes ... a perfect."

You pay your money, you can take your choice!

:-)

Paul
Paul Barrow

This thread was discussed between 13/07/2006 and 14/07/2006

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