Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: p2kandm2 (KandM)

Hey Gang

I seem to have a very frequent build up of crap on the *inside* of my distributor cap - inside, on the plug terminals.
It causes very weak spark/electrical flow to the plugs, all the way up to steady state miss fire.

The first time I found it there was extreme build up - enough to be 1/16 inch thick on a couple of terminal about.
I cleaned this off, scrapped it off with a knife blade, after starting a trip out of town.
It does not seem to be, or look like, typical carbon track or carbon build up.

This is not as noticeable it in lower gears, or steady state (city) driving, however, it is very apparent in higher gears, especially during light to heavy acceleration.

***IT IS BACK, I SCRAPPED IT OFF AGAIN - LESS THAN 200 MILES SINCE I SCRAPPED IT OFF THE FIRST TIME***
OK, it is not as thick, but it is there, a thin layer on all the terminals.
...The car runs much better when these are clean...

1. SO, anyone with a good idea what this stuff is?
2. How to clean up what I currently have?
If it truly is carbon tracks I will need a new cap!
You cannot get rid of carbon tracking once it starts.
3. What prevention can be done?
4. Is there a way to stop this stuff?


Oh, yeah... I live in Florida (the humid state?) and run a dura-spark-II electronic ignition with matching distributor (2 piece cap).

thanks
KandM

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Mail From: KalliPa1 (KalliPa1

As far as I know it is a natural thing. You definitely need a new
distributor cap. I think excessive moisture is a cause of it.
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Mail From: keven (Coates, Keven)

I've not switched distributor caps for about 17 years now, and I've got
no problems with this. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen it and I
live in Houston, TX, which is a very humid city. Humidity stays at 90%
all summer long.



Keven

________________________________

From: classic-mustangs-bounces at lists.twistedpair.ca
[mailto:classic-mustangs-bounces at lists.twistedpair.ca] On Behalf Of
KalliPa1 at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 7:12 PM
To: Coates, Keven
Subject: Re: [CM] Dist-cap plug terminal (crap) build up



As far as I know it is a natural thing. You definitely need a new
distributor cap. I think excessive moisture is a cause of it.

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Mail From: KalliPa1 (KalliPa1

The area in which you live may have a lot to do with the moisture inside
the cap. More important I think is how much of a temperature change there
is between the inside of your garage and the outside air. If there is a lot
of difference condensation occurs on the inside of the distributor cap. I
have seen it a lot here especially when the low humidity of high pressure area
is here and then we get a clipper through here with low temps and high
humidity. It can occur when you run the car and it gets up to operating temp around
200 degrees, and then the car cools off to lie say -30 here .
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Mail From: wal (Wal Marshall)

I have experienced this problem .

Solutions I used were

1. Replace the rotor and cap with a matching reliable brands, so that the terminals are of compatible hardened metal and the terminal to rotor clearances correct.

2. Check the bearing play in the distributor, ie grab the rotor and try to rock it side to side. If its loose, get the distributor rebuilt.

3. Check the engine breather system is clear (PCV valve and filler cap vent.) If they are blocked the pressure build up in the crankcase can push oily fumes into the distributor body and cause build ups inside the cap.

Cheers, Wal Marshall


----- Original Message -----
From: Coates, Keven
To: wal at nzmustang.com
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 8:06 AM
Subject: Re: [CM] Dist-cap plug terminal (crap) build up


I've not switched distributor caps for about 17 years now, and I've got no problems with this. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen it and I live in Houston, TX, which is a very humid city. Humidity stays at 90% all summer long.



Keven


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: classic-mustangs-bounces at lists.twistedpair.ca [mailto:classic-mustangs-bounces at lists.twistedpair.ca] On Behalf Of KalliPa1 at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 7:12 PM
To: Coates, Keven
Subject: Re: [CM] Dist-cap plug terminal (crap) build up



As far as I know it is a natural thing. You definitely need a new distributor cap. I think excessive moisture is a cause of it.



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