[Spridgets] Still no workie update - Mallory Dual Point Distributor info

[Edward Perez]

Interesting stuff that I need to investigate.....



----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Barney Gaylord <barneymg at mgaguru.com>
To: eap2140 at yahoo.com
Sent: Fri, October 30, 2009 10:36:17 AM
Subject: Re: Mallory Dual Point Distributor

At 09:49 AM 10/30/2009 -0600, you wrote:
> Ed Perez
> Seattle
> 
> Year 74
> Model Midget
> 
> I have a Mallory DP distributor that I am trying to install. .... How do I determine which way to install the drive gear? Does it matter?

Yeah, it matters, sort of.  There are all sorts of ways to misalign various parts in the distributor drive and still make it work.  But if you don't want to confuse yourself and other future mechanics, you should assemble it the right way around.

Installation on the A-series engines in teh Midget are same as for the B-series engines in MGA and MGB.  Start with distributor drive gear alighment:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig103.htm
In short, with #1 piston at TDC on compression, the slot in the drive gear should be offset below center and should be pointing toward the #1 spark plug.

When installing the drive dog on bottom of distributor shaft, hold distributor with top end facing you and the rotor pointing to the right,  Align the drive dog with the key offset to the bottom and in line with the rotor.

End result of all this will be, with #1 piston at TDC on compression, the rotor should be pointing toward the #1 spark plug.  Then the spark plug wire coming out of the distributor cap closest to #1 plug will connect to #1 plug.

> How do I identify which set of points is the "Primary" and which is "Secondary?" ....

When rotating the shaft and rotor anti-clockwise, the points set opening and closing first is the leading (primary) points, and the points set opening and closing last is the trailing (secondary) points.  The spark happens when the trailing points open (important for static timing setting).

Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude
http://MGAguru.com