Rotor Arm Failing
in [UK Cars]
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From: Tom Woods on 12 Jun 2007 21:04 On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:39:27 +1000, Rob <mesa(a)mine.com> wrote: >Ken Forrest wrote: > >> I don't think we can blame Lucas for this one, as they don't exist any >> more!. My son's Spitfire rotor arm failed (it looked OK) and we replaced the >> Electronic Ignition Module, coil and dizzie cap first before we discovered >> it was the rotor arm. I don't know who makes them nowadays, but Bill will >> know! >> >> Nowadays I replace these frequently if I get a misfire! >> > > > >How does a rotor fail when its only an arm across some plastic. The one on my car failed when the locating key bit in the plastic that goes over the shaft broke off leaving the rotor arm to not turn properly. It took about an hour in a car park to work that one out! -- http://www.101club.org The 101 Forward Control Club and Register
From: Rob on 12 Jun 2007 21:41 Dean Dark wrote: > On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:39:27 +1000, Rob <mesa(a)mine.com> wrote: > > >>Ken Forrest wrote: >> >> >>>I don't think we can blame Lucas for this one, as they don't exist any >>>more!. My son's Spitfire rotor arm failed (it looked OK) and we replaced the >>>Electronic Ignition Module, coil and dizzie cap first before we discovered >>>it was the rotor arm. I don't know who makes them nowadays, but Bill will >>>know! >>> >>>Nowadays I replace these frequently if I get a misfire! >> >>How does a rotor fail when its only an arm across some plastic. > > > You didn't live through the age of electromechanical ignition systems, > did you? yes
From: Rob on 12 Jun 2007 21:59 Tom Woods wrote: > On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:39:27 +1000, Rob <mesa(a)mine.com> wrote: > > >>Ken Forrest wrote: >> >> >>>I don't think we can blame Lucas for this one, as they don't exist any >>>more!. My son's Spitfire rotor arm failed (it looked OK) and we replaced the >>>Electronic Ignition Module, coil and dizzie cap first before we discovered >>>it was the rotor arm. I don't know who makes them nowadays, but Bill will >>>know! >>> >>>Nowadays I replace these frequently if I get a misfire! >>> >> >> >> >>How does a rotor fail when its only an arm across some plastic. > > > The one on my car failed when the locating key bit in the plastic that > goes over the shaft broke off leaving the rotor arm to not turn > properly. It took about an hour in a car park to work that one out! > -- > http://www.101club.org > The 101 Forward Control Club and Register OK One of normal sequence of events which I do, when a car stops and won't start. Check fuel Check spark Check Rotor moving Check timing to see if the rotor is approximately in the correct position. Reckon you will check next time :) r
From: Andrew Mawson on 13 Jun 2007 03:04 "Rob" <mesa(a)mine.com> wrote in message news:466f2eb1$1_7(a)news.peopletelecom.com.au... > Ken Forrest wrote: > > > I don't think we can blame Lucas for this one, as they don't exist any > > more!. My son's Spitfire rotor arm failed (it looked OK) and we replaced the > > Electronic Ignition Module, coil and dizzie cap first before we discovered > > it was the rotor arm. I don't know who makes them nowadays, but Bill will > > know! > > > > Nowadays I replace these frequently if I get a misfire! > > > > > > How does a rotor fail when its only an arm across some plastic. There are two common modes of failure. Either the plastic breaks down as an insulator between the brass arm and the shaft or the arm becomes loose on the plastic moulding. Lucus rotor arms are being cloned in the rice eating areas, and they tend to use unsuitable materials. Some have a rivet holding the arm on that also fails. My Austin Healey 3000 uses the same 6 pot distibutor as the Landrover 2.6 slant head engine and until I found an original rotor (via a Landrover spares place) I had no end of trouble. AWEM
From: Chris Whelan on 13 Jun 2007 03:06
Rob wrote: > How does a rotor fail when its only an arm across some plastic. 1. Rotor tip burns away, preventing spark jumping to cap segment. 2. Rotor centre burns away preventing current reaching rotor. 3. Rotor centre wears a hole, so brush conducts to earth. 4. Tracking occurs from metal part to shaft along dirt, causing permanent damage. 4. Keyed drive breaks, loosing timing. 5. If rotor has metal spring, it fatigue fractures. I think most of those who tinkered with cars of a certain age will have seen some of those problems. I know I certainly have! Chris -- Remove prejudice to reply. |