Ignition Rotor: Description and Operation

The rotor is located on top of the distributor main shaft. It is the connection between the carbon terminal in the center of the distributor cap and the correct spark plug terminal in the cap.

The rotor is in contact with the carbon terminal, but no contact is made with the plug terminals.

As the distributor turns, current travels from the coil wire, through the cap center terminal, through the rotor and jumps across the air gap to the plug terminal, and then the plug.