Ok, another question. :D
So i have made some posts about replacing my Spark Plugs and wires, now what about the Distributor Cap? Should I replace it or leave it alone. I have had the car for 3 1/2 years and havent really replaced anything. I am guessing if it works then leave it alone, but if I want to improve performance is there a certain cap people recommend for better performace? If so, how hard is it to install a new cap? And rotor? What do you guys recommend? Thanx!!!!!!!

:thumbs:

 

There is not a single cap out there that you can get to improve performance with one exception....if yours currently has a crack in it or worn reluctors, a new cap will improve things. It's a common myth that there is a magical distributor cap out there that adds power. My recommendation if you decide to get a new cap is to simply go back with the stock HEI cap and leave it at that. The cap and rotor replacement should take no more than about 30 minutes (assuming a fair bit of time to cuss and swear at the hold-down screws that hold the cap to the distributor).

 

It's certainly worth inspecting to see how worn it is. I just replaced mine with heavy duty brass and it seems a little sharper. Not bad for about $30.

 

1st of all, welcome! Glad ya could join! Good to see you learning about mods in the tech section :D
Replace that cap. It's easy. First, have a Haynes manual. It helps alot! It has a diagram of how to route the plug wires and to what respective cap post the belong to. Here is our distributor:

in my case it is a MSD brand. Our caps are held down by four 6(or 7) mm screws. Not sprung "L" shaped hold downs. In yellow is where I ground down the plastic that had the L shaped hold down as MSD doesn't make a screw down HEI cap. (HEI is what kind of distributor we have. Computer controlled, not vacuum).
The coil is in the center of the cap held down by 4 screws. There are a bunch of better than stock aftermarket units available. I have the MSD. Stock coil good to about 5K RPM approx. with 48,000 volts. MSD and others good to at least 6500 and more probably; 50 some odd thou volts. Most every guy has some aftermarket brand "hi-perf" coil, but try not to believe the sales pitches from the aftermarket ignition component companies.
Under the coil is a bushing(in blue):

there are low resistance and high resistance. Someone will chime in here to advise which one to use :D

Rotor:

Again, MSD unit. Tho almost any brand works.
BTW, these items cannot be installed wrong as they have locating tangs.
Personal advice: don't get Accel brand cap. I've had 2 corrode at the terminals on me.
Smear some die-electric grease in the boots.
Any other questions......ask away! :cheers:


[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 1:36 AM 2/1/2003]

 

For maintenance items like that a good rule is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

However, if you would like a little more performance at higher rpm, install a HyperTech coil/cap/rotor and gap the plugs to .045". You might want to install a set of TPIS wires at that time.

 

89 Paul, I think that was a great explanation, you should put it in the tech section. :cheers:

R/T

 

89 Paul,
You sure are getting alot of use out of the pictures I know i've seen them in two threads possibly three in the last couple of days.
Rockthumper is right you should post this one in the tech section for all the technically challenged :lol:

:seeya

 

The GM cap is good along with other "premium" brands. I do not like the bargin basement units you find at some of the discount chain stores. If you have a lot of miles and age, I would change the coil with the cap. Last year we had a club member to have a coil go out on a trip. Sid.