Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 08:42:31 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: engine install almost success
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
You need to get that distributor seated properly. Remove the clamping
bracket and spread it open a bit so it will slip all the way on to the
flange on the distributor it clamps to. Then install the whole assembly
and tighten the clamp to the engine. Don't worry about the little
spring in the center of the drive gear if it is missing, it really
doesn't do anything.
Hopefully this is your only problem, but bad wires can also cause this,
among many other things. Sometimes when pulling them off the plug they
stick and the rubber seal inside the metal shield splits, and this can
allow the spark to short out to the shield. You can guess how I learned
this!
Jason Willenbrock wrote:
>
> 2. the rotor on my distibutor spins freely with the turn of my hand,
> although i can feel where it wants to atch and seat. should this happen?
> the rotor spins as i hand crank the engine though, and is close to TDC. i
> can not push it down any further than where it is. am i missing something
> here? in bentley the picture of the rotor on 28.40 shows a spring and
> retaining spring where the distributor shaft is inserted. as i pull out
> the shaft for inspection, being careful not to crank the engine as per
> boston bobs instructions, i see the spring but not the retaining spring is
> it there or could it have come out with the shaft and got lost with out e
> noticing?
>
> 3. after letting her sit for a bit i tried starting her again, this time
> she almost started to engage and even sputtered a little, exhaust pipes even
> got hot showing combustion was taking place and we were almost there.
> so could it be the old gas, fuel filter gunked up, distibutor (the free
> spinning does concern me), or am i completely inept to worked on my own van?
> i want the feeling of self satisfaction of doing my first engine install,
> what steps should i take to trouble shoot this?
> thanks for reading
>
> jason
> 90 gl-not giving up!
> 82 westy-what will become of her
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle
'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)
Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)
Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
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