Distributor cap corrosion
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Distributor cap corrosion
Today my car started missing and running funny on the way home from work. When I got home I checked things out and I found the MSD distributor cap (2 years old) had severe corrosion in the coil tower. The coil wire and coil itself are nice and clean as are all of the spark plug terminals. New cap cured the problem. I've seen this several times before.... What causes this?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
too much horsepower...actually the term I am looking for is on the tip of my tongue, but I found that if I vent the cap they last longer...of course I NEVER drive my car in the rain & snow.....If you look in a MSD catalog they offer a vented cap....
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County ca
I usually take a drill and make my own hole. If your going to make one I would do it right between the #1 and the coil wire. That way you can put the timing light on the cap and look through the hole and make sure it is sparking while the rotor is directly under the terminal. It usually is and it can't easilly change but I have had a few cars that had this not totally in line which can cause problems and headaches. I know it's pretty slim but if you are going to make one why not benefit twice???
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
The corrosion was not insde the cap... It is in the hole that the coil wire plugs into. On closer insection I also found a couple of plug wire holes that were corroded althought a lot less that the coil tower there was one carbon track where the spark had been jumping to the distibutor radio shield cover. It was the one at the rear that is jammed against the cover. I guess it was just time to replace the cap.
