Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Gotta love that wiring . . .
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RRoller123
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Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by RRoller123 »

So getting ready to fire it up again after months, but once again, stopped by parts. And a spec question. Always seems to be the case.

Specification question: In the manual, there is a specification given for "AIR GAP" for the electronic ignition, of 0.012"-0.016". But on the page showing an illustration of the magnetic pickup, it shows, and says, to set the gap to 0.020"-0.024". I am going to assume that the picture and the 0.022" Nominal specification is correct. Can anyone comment on this conflict between specifications?

Note: it says to use a non-magnetic feeler gauge, which seems a challenge, but I made one at 0.022" quite easily with a couple of trial and error cuts on the table saw, using some Azek type plastic board. Use the offcut side obviously. Can't get an 0.022: fit between the blade and the fence.

Mine measured at 0.027", so I started adjustment, which leads to the next problem:

The base that the Magnetic Pickup sits on in the distributor seems to be made of some sort of thick fiber material. It was perished and just disintegrated when I was setting the gap. I can't seem to find this available at the vendors. Here is a picture: Anyone have or know where this can be sourced?

Update: It seems to be made of a ferrous substance, as it is magnetic. Since only the ends are perished, I wonder if I can use the remainder as is?

Image

Image

One other question:

My distributor has had no O-Ring in the groove shown here below, and I wonder if this is an error? It has been this way for years, apparently. I hadn't removed the distributor in a very long time. Plus there is no O-Ring in the engine gasket set that fits, nor is there a base gasket for the landing where the distributor sits on the head. So I need to find these seals, or at a minimum I need the base gasket.

Image

My 0.022" Azek feeler gauge table saw offcut.

Image
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PaulC
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by PaulC »

That broken piece looks.like the magnet that triggers the pickup.
Yes, there should be an o-ring in that groove and there should be a base o-ring and if I recall several other o-rings also.
The o-rings keep oil from creeping up the shaft and into the dizzy top.
AR has all the individual parts for a dizzy rebuild as well as a complete kit of parts.
The magnet is usually part of the pickup assembly and may not be available separately.
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by RRoller123 »

Yes, thanks, you are exactly right! I just got off the phone with Ramzi and the correct parts are on order.

However the question of what is the correct gap specification is still an open issue. It may be 0.030" to 0.040" as the AR guys like, or, as in the factory manual that I have, which shows 0.020" - 0.024", or, as in the specifications list in the same manual that says 0.012" - 0.016". Ramzi is looking through their stack of manuals to see if it can be determined definitively what the factory actually said is correct. Apparently if it is too wide, the tachometer will get jumpy, but it is not an overly sensitive gap specification.

Pete
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by Odoyle »

You will likely need a new magnetic pickup to obtain and new magnet. As for the the pick-up assembly gap, factory manual reads 0.5 to 0.6mm (0.020 to 0.024 in.) between the stator and trigger (part of the distributor).
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by geospider »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzYxTlV8kKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7_6_PsweOk

These videos are a good place to start. Interesting; they use the cardboard flap from the pick up box as the .014 gauge.

Geo
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by RRoller123 »

Here is Ramzi's response. Those AR guys are fantastic, did lot of very prompt research to come up with an answer. So 0.014" Nominal it is:

"I've looked through literally dozens of manuals. I've looks through all the supplements and all of the service bulletins Fiat put out after 1979 and I don't see anything referencing the 0.5 to 0.6mm (0.020 to 0.24in) anywhere but the page showing the Pick-Up Assembly Check (55-21).

In fact, the Brava manual I have does not even show this page.

I have 1 NOS - Marelli Plex 201 system in a box and another Marelli Plex distributor which I believe to be NOS but w/o a box. Both have a factory set gap of 0.012in or 0.30mm

All this, in combination with the fact that neither Csaba or myself have ever used the larger gap in our entire lives… leads me to believe that the photo showing the gap is incorrect.

Once again.. a lot of research for something we already know :)

Hope that helps

CORRECT DATA: 0.012"-0.016" (as per specifications list sheet in manual)

INCORRECT DATA: The drawing showing 0.020"-0.024"

Ramzi Gillespie
Auto Ricambi, LLC"
'80 FI Spider 2000
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

geospider wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzYxTlV8kKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7_6_PsweOk

These videos are a good place to start. Interesting; they use the cardboard flap from the pick up box as the .014 gauge.

Geo
Thanks, Geo, and just as an aside, I used to live (back in the 70's/80s) about an hour away from International Auto Parts. So, those guys got a lot of business from me. I only found out recently that they were acquired by an Alfa parts outfit, and the Fiat parts business went to AutoRicambi. Probably more to the story, but that's what I know.

And thanks, RRoller, for helping clear all this up. Now I just need to answer your valve shims question...

-Bryan
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by PaulC »

geospider wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzYxTlV8kKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7_6_PsweOk

These videos are a good place to start. Interesting; they use the cardboard flap from the pick up box as the .014 gauge.

Geo
The box flap is what the instructions that came with the replacement pickup I had said to use as a gauge. Seems to work fine and is non-magnetic to boot 8)
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by RRoller123 »

Who new? cardboard as a precision tool!
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by spider2081 »

For years we used the cover on a match book to set point gap. We set static timing by putting the cigarette pack clear wrapper between the closed points gently pull on the paper while rotating the distributor with rotor pointing to correct cylinder in cap. When paper is free to be pulled static timing is set.
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by tima01864 »

There ia a white stripe on the brown pad under the pick up. That has a specific orientation. Up or down I am not sure but I know it matters.
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by PaulC »

IAP has a good video of the dizzy rebuild here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u7_6_PsweOk
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by RRoller123 »

This is for the gap on the electronic distributor, between the trigger rotor and the mag pickup. Apparently they want a non-ferrous feeler gauge. Looking for precision cardboard as we speak! LOLOL.
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by geospider »

worked for me
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Re: Distributor Parts and Specification Questions

Post by redcars »

I have always used a piece of the magnetic pickup box to set mine. If you measure them they have been between. 012-.014. No telling about a new box. That's why I always measure them.
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