Its Spring! Check you Mopar Electronic Distributor Air Gap

[Trevor Y]

I was having problems with my 1972 Kuda with the 383.
It was stalling after about 15 minutes and would have to let it sit for about 10 minutes before starting it again and then die and so on.
I check through everything and changed ot my coil as well.
OH ANOTHER TIP!
If you running a MSD Red Blaster coil that is filled with oil, don't have it mounted on its side.
These coils with oil are meant to be mounted up and down - Vertically.
The coil has an air bubble in there and that air bubble should be up at the top where the coil wire hooks onto it.
If the air bubble is on the side, then windings are exposed and you have a ruined coil.
I bought the MSD Black coil that is filled with epoxy and is made for offroad and vibration.
That coil can be laid down.
Anyways.....
I finally checked over my Dist and found the gap to be over 0.020 or 20 thousands of an inch.
The spec reads for a brass filler gauge to be used and to be gapped at 0.008 or 8 thousands of an inch.
Wow, what a different car once that was done, and an even spark on ever cylinder hit.
If you can and know how, take out the distributor and check the gap at all 8 points as you rotate the shaft.
You'll find some high and low.

Applies to all electronic mopar distributors regardless of displacement.

Thats my tip for the day!
Thanks all
Trev

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

 

[TinCuda]

Cool, Thanks


.,

[hooD]

would the .080 air gap pertain to a 340 as well?

[Trevor Y]

I am going to say yes, since I checked my 72 manual and the biggest V-8 on a Barracuda was a 340.
And I have to correct the number 0.008 which is 8 thousands.
Duh, another mistake I have made this week.
Trev

[dodj]

would the .080 air gap pertain to a 340 as well?

Applies to all electronic mopar distributors regardless of displacement.

[LAA66]

 Thanks for the info, way past due here. 

[Chryco Psycho]

I cannot tell you how many times I have found this to be a problem , the factory did not bother to set them on any after market kits sold !!

[Trevor Y]

Ok, this is great guys.
Keep the good info coming, I'll keep adding it to my first post on this thread as new info comes in.
Thanks so much.
Thats what I like about good forums, the good info that is passed around.
A lot of this stuff should be sticky in a certain area.
Thanks
Trev

[cwestra]

Is .008" a min gap?  Mine vary from .005" - .009".  Should I bump it up to .008" - .012"?

[Trevor Y]

I would say your good, but they do say to put a vacuum to the distributor and read the gap again at all points.
I guess there is a little change because of the pivot point involved with the advance.
You want to make sure that your not going to strike the other at any times.
Trev

[Chryco Psycho]

I would leave it , as long as it doesn't hit you are OK

[cwestra]

Thanks.

[74CudaDave]

Is there any advantage to (or reason not to) try and even out the gap by GENTLY sanding the reluctor points down ono the high ones?

[Trevor Y]

You won't want to angle any of them by mistake.
From what i read on the internet is that as long as you average out around 8 thou and you don't go so small as you hit on any of them, then
your good to go. Its the large gap that will kill you as I had found out.
Trev