Distributor issue.

[les]

I’ve been struggling for the last hour, trying to remove the centre carbon from a distributor cap, it’s almost flush and tweezers simply slide off the material. Any other ideas how to remove it ? I doubt glue would stick to it.

[philthehill]

Use a pair of pliers to grip the stub and pull.

[les]

Thanks Phil but the thing is virtually flush and the carbon acts like a lubricant. However just before you posted I tried to delete my post but couldn’t, presumably because you were replying. The reason being one hour five minutes into the job I’ve done it. Surprisingly, some strong adhesive tape raised it enough to grab hold of. Thanks for replying though!
Actually the carbon has a couple of small indents in the top, if I can get a decent picture, I’d like your opinion on it.

[les]

Here’s the picture.

BA3264C7-1872-4239-A640-6B01A37474F7.jpeg (1.17 MiB) Viewed 1217 times

[philthehill]

Les
Those indents should not be there. It looks as if the carbon has chipped. I have had similar to what is shown and as a result had to replace at a minimum the carbon. What is the rotor arm top contact surface like?
I would suggest that at a minimum the carbon should be replaced and if the carbon holder is worn replace the distributer cap.
Is the distributer cap a non Lucas item?
Going by the colour of the cap is it a Bosch or Ducellier.
Phil

[les]

Phil, it’s a Bosch cap, the rotor arm contact was dull in appearance, I’ve now cleaned it with fine wet&dry paper, and looks ok. It’s the chips I was concerned about. The car was missing and smoking and would stall without high revs, even then it was rough. I’m wondering if the carbon is available separately, I’ll look into that. Thanks for the insight.

[Chipper]

I don't suppose you could fit the carbon brush the other way round?

[les]

No, the spring underneath is fitted in a groove but thanks for the thought.

[pgp001]

If the brush was almost flush with the hole, maybe it was not even making contact with the rotor arm, and the indents are a result of it just arcing across ?

Phil

[Murrayminor]

Try compressed air, that may lift the carbon up so you can grip it with some pliers.

[les]

If the brush was almost flush with the hole, maybe it was not even making contact with the rotor arm, and the indents are a result of it just arcing across ?

Phil

Phil, I’m now thinking the same, thanks.
Regarding your suggestion Murrayminor, thanks but carbon now removed and spring stretched to allow more length. Still not running properly.

[sparesman]

Carbon brushes are available for the normal Lucas caps but I dont know if they will fit a Bosch cap

[les]

Thanks for that info, I have found one supplier but not sure of the specification, it’s from China and the picture looks a bit different to the one I need. I think my distributor needs one 4.5mm diameter, I think the Minor ones are thinner.

[mobylette]

Distributor doctor has them:

http://www.distributordoctor.com/