Helmet Distributor Rebuild

Z

Ziggster

Well-known member
I thought I would document my attempt to rebuild my helmet distributor. There really isn't that much info available out there with the exception of what you can find here, so I'm hoping I'll be able to contribute to the knowledge base. I ordered a bunch of stuff from Third Gen Auto just before Christmas, and it arrived yesterday (not bad IMHO considering I live in Canada). They were great to deal with. A pic of the stuff I purchased with the exception of the pints which I picked up last year on eBay.
 

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A pic of the parts from the helmet distributor and the original crab distributor. I see I've already lost some parts. D'oh!
 

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I've already bead blasted and painted the housing with some "natural" aluminum engine paint from DupliColor. I also "blued" the cap retaining clips. Forgot to mention, I also ordered the gasket kit from Third Gen Auto (P/N 18-12104-S).
 

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First step is to remove and replace the lubrication cap. Should have done it before I blasted and painted the housing. I would have saved it, but the spring was busted.
I guess this is why I should have removed it earlier. Hard to see, but it is filled with crud!
 

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This what I could get out. Keep in mind, at the moment I'm posting this in real time, as I go about the rebuild. Haha!
There seems to be some type of fibre type material in there. Note that neither the oil cap or fibre material are shown on the exploded view!
 

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A bit of touch up paint around the opening, a few taps with a plastic mallet, and new oil cap is installed. Onto the guts...
 

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I purchased a "new" 11A shaft to have a bit more range in the timing. A comparison of the two shafts.
 

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Now this looks a bit mangled. Did I say as a mech eng, I'm great at taking things apart, but not so great at putting them back together? As I get older, I get worse. Lol! Thank God we have the ability to take pics, and I mean lots of pics, maybe too many pics.
 

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This looks about right. Will straighten and clean contacts. Left looks good, but there is a bit of corrosion? on the right one. Using 600 grit sand paper.
 

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Geeeze these springs do not look the same. Came out of the box like this. I'm guessing the one on the left is how it should be.
 

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The inner springs do not feel like they are the same. One seems thinner/weaker than the other, but the originals are the same. Am I imagining this? If they are different, which goes where?
 
Ziggster said:
The inner springs do not feel like they are the same. One seems thinner/weaker than the other, but the originals are the same. Am I imagining this? If they are different, which goes where?
Click to expand...

The outer is the spring. Inner is just a copper strip to ensure current flow.
 
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