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Rotor question

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nevets

nevets

Jedi Knight
Offline
I often read suggestions to carry one or more spare rotors on long trips. It's such a simple component with no moving parts. What is it about a rotor that fails?
 
Contact blade loosens and or separates from the base/collar.

In such occurences, it can also do damage to the distributor cap.

There were times when I'd carry a complete spare distributor, including the plug wires, ready to go. Nowadays, I carry a AAA card :wink:
 
nevets said:
I often read suggestions to carry one or more spare rotors on long trips. It's such a simple component with no moving parts. What is it about a rotor that fails?
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I had one fail with no visible damage or change. Have heard they can develop almost invisible cracks that allow the spark to short to ground.
 
The ones with brass rivets tend to crack where the rivet goes through. some times the rivet gets loose and wobbles. I use one from Advanced distributors and two spares. There are a lot of crappy ones that look good but fall apart (from India and China). Dave Russell told me he takes out the rivet and epoxy the brass shoe back in place. I do think the replacements are better, today, but why take the chance driving with out a spare when they are cheap and take up no room. Side note is when you remove them, that is a great theft deterrent when you are parked overnight at some hotel for a show.
 
Surprising that such a simple component can be so prone to failure. Thanks for the responses..think I'll start carrying a spare.
 
Quality of aftermarket parts for any car has been a problem for many years.
 
nevets said:
Surprising that such a simple component can be so prone to failure. Thanks for the responses..think I'll start carrying a spare.
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At least it's easy to diagnose. Engine stops cold. Spark out of coil but none at plugs.
 
GregW said:
Quality of aftermarket parts for any car has been a problem for many years.
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Yeah, back when I bought my Healey (1978), there were no <span style="font-style: italic">crappy</span> aftermarket parts!

Come to think of it, there wasn't much available at all; the Moss catalog was about a dozen pages.

I can even remember in 1983, not being able to find a set of points! Finally located <span style="font-style: italic">Jaguar George </span>(George Bentley, Lafayette, LA.) and he sold me a set for his E-Type; still had to use a generic condenser, as he didn't have one of those.
 
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