Distributor shocks.

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

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george2490
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Distributor shocks.

Post by george2490 »

Evening.
Just finishing my engine installation, upgrade from CT to CU.
I'm trying to set timing but Every time I rotate the distributor with the engine running I get massive belt of electricity through my hands if I'm touching any other part of the van.
Starting to quite like it but it's not helping me get the timing set.
Have I wired something incorrectly or is there a likely suspect to check first?
Cheers,
George

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slowcoach
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by slowcoach »

Engine earth strap ok?
===================
1984 TRAKKA Conversion Subaru EJ20 5 Speed

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937carrera
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by 937carrera »

slowcoach wrote:Engine earth strap ok?

He's called George :rollin

"Feels" as though the dizzy cap may be cracked or insulation breaking down on HT leads / king lead
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

george2490
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by george2490 »

Earth strap good. New leads and cap.
At a loss.

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937carrera
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by 937carrera »

Get some rubber gloves.

Seriously, that's really strange, I'm well used to adjusting the timing that way and never had a belt.

Do you have another dizzy to try ?
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

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sarran1955
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by sarran1955 »

Hello,

Have you painted the crankcase /timing locking plate.. :?:

IIRC you are using a powerspark SVDA.. :?:

What are you doing with the CT.. :?:

Cordialement,

:ok
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937carrera
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by 937carrera »

A couple of ideas for testing:

Run the engine in the dark and see if there's any electrical effects when you aren't acting as an earth.

Next get a jump lead, earth one end and move the other end near the dizzy cap and each of the leads. When you see the spark, you know where the leak is coming from.

Wear something to insulate yourself. New parts can be faulty.
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

george2490
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by george2490 »

sarran1955 wrote:Hello,

Have you painted the crankcase /timing locking plate.. :?:

IIRC you are using a powerspark SVDA.. :?:

What are you doing with the CT.. :?:

Cordialement,

:ok
Thanks for the replies, I have painted gearbox and various parts but not crank case.
I am running powerspark on CT and planning to rebuild as bigger capacity, maybe copy your idea John.
On this engine I am trying to go standard on the ignition with electric fuel pump and j tubes.
Tried running it tonight it is running smooth at all speeds, no arcing visible.
The shocks are definite HT, I know from experience.
Just don't know where exactly.
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george2490
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by george2490 »

sarran1955 wrote:Hello,

Have you painted the crankcase /timing locking plate.. :?:

IIRC you are using a powerspark SVDA.. :?:

What are you doing with the CT.. :?:

Cordialement,

:ok
Thanks for the replies, I have painted gearbox and various parts but not crank case.
I am running powerspark on CT and planning to rebuild as bigger capacity, maybe copy your idea John.
On this engine I am trying to go standard on the ignition with electric fuel pump and j tubes.
Tried running it tonight it is running smooth at all speeds, no arcing visible.
The shocks are definite HT, I know from experience.
Just don't know where exactly.
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tobydog
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by tobydog »

Could it be the rare combination of warm weather and an often damp climate? :)
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937carrera
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by 937carrera »

Did you try the jump lead to earth test or putting the old dizzy cap on ?
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

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tobydog
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by tobydog »

I've always been wary of grabbing a distributor cap while adjusting the timing :pimp
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george2490
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by george2490 »

Tried jump lead test and replaced cap.
One problem is testing if the issue is still there.
It's quite a belt and I can't persuade the good lady to test it for me.

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937carrera
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by 937carrera »

So it might be fixed, but you don't want to find out, I understand, electro aversion therapy does work. :D

Did you see any sparks to the jump lead, or did you just replace the cap in case the new one was faulty ?
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

george2490
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Re: Distributor shocks.

Post by george2490 »

Just replaced as precaution. I still need to set the timing so will find out soon whether it is fixed!
No shocks unless I earth myself on the engine.
Oh and no visible sparks.

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