Distributor: Description and Operation

Distributor (45 DM)

Distributor:

The distributor incorporates a standard centrifugal advance system, anti-flash shield, rotor arm, and distributor cap. The distributor incorporates a reluctor and pick-up module. The reluctor is a gear-like component, with one tooth per cylinder, and is mounted on the distributor shaft.

The pick-up consists of a winding around a pole-piece attached to a permanent magnet.

Constant Energy Ignition:

The distributor is pre-wired with two leads terminating in a moulded two-pin inhibited connector, which plugs into the amplifier.

During normal service, the air gap between reluctor and pick-up does not change and would only require resetting if it has been tampered with. If it is necessary to adjust the gap, it should be set to: 0.008 in (0.20 mm) to 0.014 in (0.35 mm)

Pick-up Gap Adjustment:

The air gap is measured between a tooth on the reluctor and the pick-up module. The gap should be checked with a plastic feeler gauge. The use of a metal gauge may result in in an incorrect reading due to the components magnetic properties.

When the reluctor tooth passes across the pick-up limb, the magnetic field around the pick-up winding is intensified, creating a voltage in the winding. The rise and fall of this voltage is sensed by the amplifier and is used to trigger the output stage of the amplifier, which in turn switches on and off the current flowing in the primary winding of the coil. The amplifier controls the maximum current flowing in the primary circuit.