Magnetic Pickup Gap

[skykng]

Hi: Great forum! Been looking everywhere, incl Brad's outstanding work, but can't find what the mag pickup gap between the vanes of the distributor and the pickup should be. I have an '82 2000 Spider. I just bought the car and have replaced everything "perishable": fuel hoses, brake hoses, timing belt, v belt, plugs, plug wires, etc.......As I look at the pickup that is in the distributor now, it is cockeyed-angled-and doesn't look right. I know it should be perpendicular to the vane at the closest point of approach = gap? Thanks! Steve

[manoa matt]

If I remember correctly the gap should be 0.5-0.6mm = .020in - .024in

Matt

[ga.spyder]

I am a little confused on this gap,and where it is checked.Could someone post a pic of a correctly installed p/u showing where it is checked?
thanks ,Craig

[skykng]

Aloha and Thanks, Manoa Matt, for the gap. And for ga. spider, the magnetic pickup replaced the points in the distributor I think in the 1979-85 models of the Spider. So the pickup mounts on the distributor where the points would normally, and and on the base of the pickup there is an oval hole for adjustment of the gap (with the gap correct you tighten the two screws that mount it). So, just as you would use a feeler guage on a set of points to measure their gap, you use a feeler guage to set the gap between the pickup and the vanes on the distributor that energize the magnetic pickup as they spin past it (as the cam in the points distributor opened and closed the points as it spun around). The pickup is under the flywheel weight arms and rotor in the distributor - at your 10 oclock position looking from the right fender at the distributor. I'll try and get a picture of it tomorrow............best, Steve

[So Cal Mark]

if you use a feeler gauge,use a brass one so it doesn't stick to the pickup tooth

[skykng]

Well, my digital camera won't focus on a closeup of the distributor..........sorry. Just go by the description above, you'll find it: the gap is the space between the fin on the distributor shaft and the vertical metal strip on the mag pickup. You need to rotate the distributor shaft by turning the crankshaft (I just put it second or third gear and push the car-just a little) so that the vane is directly opposite the mag pickup strip -- then measure that gap (.5 to .6mm) move the mag pickup if necessary, tighten it down with the two screws, and you're done. Good luck. best, Steve

[ga.spyder]

Thanks Steve,I replaced my mag. p/u a few months ago,but had no idea there was any kind of adjustment.My 2 manuals never even touched on it! I have felt a faint stutter on acceleration ,and that could be a cause.I will adjust (if needed) on Fri.
thanks again ,Craig