dist cap and rotor corrosion
03-05-2003, 11:44 PM
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dist cap and rotor corrosion
lately my car has been corroding really bad on the cap and rotor where the "conductors " (i guess thats what the little metal tabs would be called) meet up. it is happening within 5000 miles of being new, i have MSD coil, cap, rotor, wires, and 6AL on the car...the dist looks really rusty under the rotor. think that is the prob? thanks in advance
03-06-2003, 10:19 AM
#2
Cobrakiller,
The MSD system is generating higher spark current (not necessarily voltage) than the stock system. This will contribute to more ozone production in the distributor cap. The extra ozone will oxidize the contacts faster, especially if they are aluminum. It will also oxidize (rust) the steel rotor mounting plate faster.
I'd suggest using a distributor cap and rotor with solid brass contacts. They'll still corrode, but the green patina that forms on them will still conduct better than oxidized aluminum.
You might also want to remove the rotor, clean off the steel plate with a wire brush and/or ScotchBrite pad, then paint or seal it to prevent further rusting.
As for the root cause, you might want to adjust the gap of the plugs closer to 0.035" if they aren't already there. You should also meter the wires for continuity. Failing wires and wider gaps will cause the system to generate higher voltage and more ozone.
The MSD system is generating higher spark current (not necessarily voltage) than the stock system. This will contribute to more ozone production in the distributor cap. The extra ozone will oxidize the contacts faster, especially if they are aluminum. It will also oxidize (rust) the steel rotor mounting plate faster.
I'd suggest using a distributor cap and rotor with solid brass contacts. They'll still corrode, but the green patina that forms on them will still conduct better than oxidized aluminum.
You might also want to remove the rotor, clean off the steel plate with a wire brush and/or ScotchBrite pad, then paint or seal it to prevent further rusting.
As for the root cause, you might want to adjust the gap of the plugs closer to 0.035" if they aren't already there. You should also meter the wires for continuity. Failing wires and wider gaps will cause the system to generate higher voltage and more ozone.
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