cap / rotor condensation issues

[rentedmule]

The truck has been running rough lately and it quit on me completely last week. I suspected a clogged fuel filter since it had never been changed but it ended up being moisture in cap/rotor.

This is the second time I've had this issue over the last few years and spraying some wire-drier in there completely fixed the problem both times and really smoothed out the idle (suggesting it had been a problem for a long time). Should the cap be vented or have a seal on the bottom or something to stop moisture from getting in?

When I opened it up this time there was lots of green buildup on the cap terminals. The rotor button was also unevenly worn on the end - it was pointing toward the cab and the edge facing the driver's side of the truck had a lip on it. How tight should the distributor shaft be? It had no up/down play and but it did have a tiny bit of rotational play in it.

I'm going to replace the cap/rotor but is this normal wear? How often do you guys change yours? I can't remember what kind I have in there now but I know AC Delco is the recommended brand, correct?

The only ignition mods I have are MSD 8.5 wires and an MSD coil.

[pluto]

i have to replace plugs cap wires and rotor also next week so this is an interesting read.

im wondering if i should use some kind of dialectric grease on all the electrical contacts?

plugs to wires, wires to cap, button to rotor and all six contact point in the cap that meet rotor.

[12sws27]

Get one of those Aluminum distributors from eBay. I got 2 of them. They come with a new cap and rotor and there less then 80 bucks IIRC.

[12sws27]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-07-Chevy-GMC-S-10-Blazer-4-3L-Distributor-S10-Astro-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4145669cacQQitemZ28033 7226924QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries#ht_11545wt_1165

[Jay-Sliver]

I had the same problem with my origional Cap and Rotor. IIRC, I had to install a new cap and rotor at 70,000Kms, due to moisture problems. I dont know that they seal up 100%, but, with our colder climates, and the heating and cooling of the engine, moisture is bound to happen.

Jay.

[Jay-Sliver]

i have to replace plugs cap wires and rotor also next week so this is an interesting read.

im wondering if i should use some kind of dialectric grease on all the electrical contacts?

plugs to wires, wires to cap, button to rotor and all six contact point in the cap that meet rotor.


Dielectric grease on both ends of the spark plug wires wont hurt a bit. I wouldnt put any inside the cap or on the button tho.

Jay

[csl2006]

dist will have a tad bit of play in it.

[rentedmule]

dist will have a tad bit of play in it.


Cool, thanks for the info everyone. I have replaced them in the last few years but for some reason I thought they'd last longer.

I don't think I'll replace the whole distributor yet but I've had those aluminum ones bookmarked for a while so when I do get around to it, that's the one I'll go with.

[12sws27]

The reason I suggest buying the aluminum distributor is for a few reasons. 1) It comes with a new cap, rotor, cam position sensor and gear. What's a new cap and rotor? Like $50 or so? 2) the POS OEM distributor's cap hold down screw holes always tend to crack or break off. This (if it's not the problem now) will cause the cap to not seal good resulting in moisture under it. 3) the cap the dizzy comes with has brass connectors/terminals. The OEM cap and AcDelco or Delphi caps have aluminum. 4) A new gear might smooth out your idle, maybe? 5) You'll be cool like me. 6) I only became cool after I bought the aluminium dizzy. 7) the aluminum dizzy adds length and girth to your penis. 8) It will make you more attractive to people of the opposite sex. 9) You will get more sex.

[oddball]

I always buy extra dielectric grease to go in the boots,helps keep the boots from sticking to the cap and plugs,you can buy a good set of wires and use them a couple of times w/o having to replace them cause you tore them up taking them off the cap or plugs.

[rentedmule]

5) You'll be cool like me. 6) I only became cool after I bought the aluminium dizzy. 7) the aluminum dizzy adds length and girth to your penis. 8) It will make you more attractive to people of the opposite sex. 9) You will get more sex.

Does dielectric grease help?

Seriously though, you do make a good point. Maybe I will just order one of these. If a fella could get a billet MSD one for a reasonable price do you think it would be any better or would you just be paying for the bling factor?

[Bootlegger's Deluxe]

the length and girth will get even bigger with an MSD dizzy .... the only problem that scott stated is that all the extra sex you will get will be gay sex... but i'd buy the aluminum dizzy anyways. i prolly should buy one for the hell of it, and i dont have anything to put it in.

[12sws27]

Does dielectric grease help?

Seriously though, you do make a good point. Maybe I will just order one of these. If a fella could get a billet MSD one for a reasonable price do you think it would be any better or would you just be paying for the bling factor?

I didn't know they had a MSD distributor for the 2ndG ignition system. They do have Accel ones. IDK if they come with the cap and all that. I do know they are to damn expensive IMO. I think the difference in the Accel one is it has bearings in it or some crap like that.

If I were to find an Accel or MSD dizzy for the same price then yeah, I'd buy it instead. But I'd never pay what they are asking for them. Not to put it in a 4.3 at least.

[Jay-Sliver]

So Scott, are you running the Ebay aluminum distributor? I was thinking about buying one, because when I put my Summit cap and rotor on in the spring, I broke the front ear off the distributor...the cap is now being held on with a long fine thread machine screw and oversized washers. :(

[12sws27]

So Scott, are you running the Ebay aluminum distributor? I was thinking about buying one, because when I put my Summit cap and rotor on in the spring, I broke the front ear off the distributor...the cap is now being held on with a long fine thread machine screw and oversized washers. :(
I got one on both my 98 Jimmy and my 00 Blazer.

I have yet to find a negative review about the distributors on any forum. S-10 or fullsize.

[Jay-Sliver]

I got one on both my 98 Jimmy and my 00 Blazer.

I have yet to find a negative review about the distributors on any forum. S-10 or fullsize.

Right on, I'll have to pick one up then.

[12sws27]

I would just like to add that the only reason those thieves likely stole my 2000 4dr Blazer was because it had that ebay aluminum dizzy that cures the AIDs.

Now back to searching Tyson's threads so i can find the one about the ignition rotor mod....