6 replies to this topic

[Murrayup]

Hi all on this the hottest day.
Small problem my distributor touches the oil pressure sensor. Fortunately the distributor has the correct dial in for my 998 mini clubman 1974.
How ever in future I may need more swing on the dis is there a Y shaped fitting available that would give me more swing.
Regards Ian ,stay cool everyone.

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Edited by Murrayup, 24 May 2026 - 04:22 PM.

[whistler]

The correct way is to remove the distributor, insert an appropriate long threaded bolt (the bolt that goes through the bottom radiator mounting bracket is good for this) and retract the distributor drive, rotate it to the position as shown in the Haynes then replace the distributor. You will need to have the timing done again though.

If the car is running OK then leave well alone.

[68+86auto]

It is much simpler than that as it is much more likely that the distributor is installed wrong rather than the drive. There is not enough information in the photo to say that the drive is installed incorrectly. 

 

All that is required is that the distributor body is rotated 90 degrees clockwise and the leads moved to the correct positions. Check the timing then of course.

 

 

 

I never understand why so many people default to "it must be the drive", it seems most have no clue how a distributor works.

Edited by 68+86auto, 24 May 2026 - 10:38 PM.

[Cooperman]

As 68+86 says above.

Take off the dizzy cap and turn the engine over until the points are just opening. Use a multi-meter across the points to get it exactly right. Turn the dizzy 90 degrees clockwise and lock it in position, move all the leads one position anti-clockwise. Job done.

[whistler]

Can't win today. Posted the move drive method as didn't want to have the rotated dizzy/move leads method shouted down as being a bodge.

[68+86auto]

Can't win today. Posted the move drive method as didn't want to have the rotated dizzy/move leads method shouted down as being a bodge.

 

Don't take it personally. I just see this question all the time with similar answers.

 

For all we know, you are correct but without seeing the rotor position (or the leads) we can't know. I just believe it is far more likely that the distributor is installed incorrectly. If the OP posts more pictures we can give the correct answer.

 

Distributors seem to be a mystery to most people and they don't realise that they can just rotate it 90, 180, or 270 degrees and it will still run correctly. I had someone the other day try to tell me that doing so would change the advance curve and make it run badly. Once I explained it to them, they admitted they had no idea but that was only after they had put a long post telling someone to remove the drive (and telling me the the advance curve garbage).

[Ethel]

The only thing that would bother me is if somebody had managed to get the dizzy in the drive 180^o out. Not very likely, but it's not too hard to pull the dizzy & check, if it plays on your mind, & you also get to confirm if it actually will come out without it being a necessity.