Novice at points based distributors

[mjobrien]

A question from a novice at points based distributors. Does the rotor actually touch the leads inside the distributor cap or is there a gap where an expected spark jumps across ?

In setting the initial timing for cylinder one, I wanted to use the fact that the coil lead and the number one cylinder lead on the cap, would connect and give me a good approx of where to tighten the distributor down to start with?

Thanks,
Michael.

 

[Keoke]

Hi Michael, NO the rotor tip does not touch the terminals inside the distributor cap. Yes it also jumps that gap.

If you have a timing lite just hook it up to #1 sparplug lead start the engine and set the timing to specification.
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Prior to setting the timing make sure the points gap is set to specification also.---------Fwiw---Keoke

 

[mjobrien]

Thnaks! Just what I neeeded....

 

[dklawson]

It's easy to hook up a test lamp between the dizzy connection at the coil and chassis ground. The test lamp will be off until the points open at which time the lamp will turn on. The spark has a very short life and can easily be missed in daylight. The test lamp method is more forgiving.