Distributor Problem

[newkitman]

Hey folks.

 

Installed the electronic ignition module in Moneypenny, Put the electronic unit in, added the spacer ring for a stock distributor, put the magnetic rotor on, installed the ignition rotor…….the rotor doesn’t go on all the way. Took off the spacer ring and retried it. Same results. Its an ACCU-FIRE Ignition Module from EMPI. Oh yeah. The black piece with the little magnets in it does not index. It spins around. Could it be this is the defective component? Not sure what my next step is other than go back to points. Any suggestions? I’m stumped.

Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

[edward ericson]

Maybe post a couple pics? I installed a Pertronix a couple years ago and it doesn’t sound like the same kit.

[secretagentcat]

Maybe check the O ring around the shaft on the new distributor. I had the same problem with mine and I put the old O ring on the new unit and it dropped right into place. Hope this helps.

[newkitman]

Ed. My coil is a Petronix and the ignition module is an EMPI Accu-Fire. I’ll pull the dizzy and get a better look at it and post pictures of what it looks like tomorrow. I don’t work on Sundays. Call me old fashioned but Sundays are my day of rest.

Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

[HappyJack]

Hey Allen

 

taje a real close look at that black plastic part… It should have a square cutout with slightly rounded corners that match the dizzy shaft.

that part has to slide down the shaft and just clear the sensor or the rotor won’t engage properly.

i had the same issue and once I put a bit of force on that black part with the magnets it slid in place and the rotor also slipped on and engaged fully

luck tomorrow when you try to align that part an apply just the right amount of pressure to get it to seatbfully

 

happy jack

 

 

 

[newkitman]

Happy jack. I’ll definitely check that also. I’m thinking the locating pin on the module being a tad too fat or the spacer under the magnetic rotor not fitting down over distributer shaft all the way. More to follow tomorrow.

Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

[newkitman]

Distributor problem update. Took the distributor out and took all the accu-fire electronic ignition pieces out and swapped with the Petronix ignition module etc. Turned out to be the spacer required for the stock vacuum advance distributor in the accu-fire ignition system was too thick and did not allow magnetic rotor and all above it to fit down all the way. All fits well now and distributor is reinstalled. Wife just back from class reunion in Wisconsin so now I have to do some hubby duties like pick her up at airport etc. Thanks everyone for your  suggestions and encouragement.

Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

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