D-324 disributor cap

[Kevin T.]

Last weekend I tried to start up my 59 Fuelie for the first time since last October. It was nice and sunny in Chicago, but only about 43 degrees. After about 6 attempts of cranking for about 20-30 seconds each, the engine finally turned over. After idling for about 5 minutes and as I was about to close the hood, I noticed a slight change in the sound - and then the distributor cap exploded under the ignition shielding. When I removed the shielding, the cap and rotor were in a bunch of pieces.

As far as I can tell, the distributor is fine (I had it rebuilt about 2 1/2 years ago). I don't know if the cap became loose, or if one of the springs on the centrifugal weights broke/came off. The car ran great all last summer, and has not been touched since I put it away for the winter. Now I am in need of a correct distributor cap (preferably a NOS), rotor, and spring kit. Where is the best place to get those items. I see a NOS one is on ebay now for about $130, and Chicago Corvette Supply purportedly sells one for about $60. I presume the $60 one is a reproduction.

BTW, I followed a thread a few weeks back where Jerry Bramlett talked about some technique using a can of ether to start a cold Rochester FI unit. Would Jerry or someone else explain the circumstances and process in detail for me. I am afraid all that cranking necessary to start my car in cold conditions like that can't be too good for the engine. Thanks. - Kevin

[John H.]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

Kevin -

Until you locate a correct D-324 cap, Accel makes a replacement (their #8134); Jeg's has them.

[Mark #28455]

search archives for info re: Chicago *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

Kevin-----

Check to see if the centrifugal advance springs and weights are in place and intact. If they are not, then that's what happened to your cap and rotor. If they are ok , then the only other thing that I can envision that would have caused your problem would be the rotor contact coming loose. I've never seen this happen, though. Are you, by chance, using the "white" rotor with "thermosealed" contact?

[Kevin T.]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

Joe:

The weights are in place and the rest of the components look ok, but the springs are gone (they may be on the floor under the car - I could not find them amongst the broken pieces). The rotor was blue and not a Delco product. I don't know if the contact was "thermosealed". Thanks for your input. - Kevin

[John D.]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

Kevin, I've experience your problem before. An inferior rotor came apart and trashed everything in it's path. Take John's advice and temporarily buy an Accel dual window cap. It also comes with a heavy duty rotor. But instaed of asking for an 8134 which is a yucky tan, ask for an 8135 which is black. John DeGregory

[Tony Merendino]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

Interestingly enough the same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago. It was a nice evening so I took my 70 small block cpe out for its first run of the year and about 1/2 half mile from home I heard lots of noise and she stopped dead.

It turns out that the same thing happened. The distributor cap virtually expolded. All the noise was a result of the broken distributor cap rattling around inside the ignition shielding. The rotor came loose, springs were gone and the result was a tow to the local shop. I have no idea what caused it since I had done no ignition work since last spring. It was a relief since I was afraid that there was something seriously wrong with the engine.

A replacement rotor, distributor cap and a recurve kit(couldn't find springs sold seperately) and I was back on the road. I will continue to look for a correct distributor cap.

I had never heard of something like that happening to anyone until I read this post.

[Verne Frantz]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

I haven't heard of it either, but it sure is scary. I always try to put quality parts on my cars. If you can squeeze the rotor in your hand and it does squeeze, just throw it away. Don't put it on your car.
The real difficulty is not finding a sturdy rotor, but finding replacement mechanical advance springs. They simply DO NOT exist!!! Unless there's a secret source that no one wants to reveal.....??????

[Roy B.]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

Some guys are talking a later large round rotor , your 59 don't have that, cold then heat , then cold and again heat can cause the rotor to crack and split , did that to me at idle only and made the engine miss like crazy ,( the steel button was also twisted) but would have came apart under a higher RPM . I think that the rotor was culprit. I have also had the cap crack causing a miss. I carry both now with me and points on trips.

[Joe L.]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

Verne-----

If you're talking about exact replacement springs equivalent to each of the original GM part numbers for the springs, then I don't know of a source. However, "generic" springs are available in a kit from Mr. Gasket. The kit contains several different sets of springs, none of which are necessarily the same as any of the GM original springs. However, you should be able to find a set that is "close" in the kit.

[Verne Frantz]

Re: D-324 disributor cap

Joe,
I think I recall you mentioning that in a previous post (but I had forgotten the source) And yes, I was thinking about exact replacements. I suppose if one has the patience and a good distributor machine, it might be possible to get "close" as you say with the ones available today.
Thanks