Distributor cap nubbin, Whats its purpose? |
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Distributor cap nubbin, Whats its purpose? |
74ravenna |
Dec 12 2015, 10:05 AM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 471 Joined: 19-October 14 From: nh Member No.: 18,032 Region Association: North East States |
While cleaning electrical contacts of corrosion I just had to reach in and touch the Nubbin I'm holding in this picture, so of course it popped out.
I've managed to put it back in but I'm not sure I trust that its in securely. It now leans like the tower of pisa in its little receptacle. So to most of you out there this is a very basic item but I don't know what it does or if I can trust that its back in correctly. An explanation is greatly welcome. Thanks. Attached thumbnail(s) |
DBCooper |
Dec 12 2015, 10:16 AM
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#2
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14's in the 13's with ATTITUDE Group: Members Posts: 3,079 Joined: 25-August 04 From: Dazed and Confused Member No.: 2,618 Region Association: Northern California |
It's the carbon contact between the main lead in the center of the cap that carries current from the coil lead through the rotor to each of the spark plug leads. Spring loaded to keep it in contact as the rotor spins. If it's leaning it's in crooked and probably won't last very long, will be spun out and your car will stop dead almost certainly in the middle of a very busy intersection.
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74ravenna |
Dec 12 2015, 10:24 AM
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 471 Joined: 19-October 14 From: nh Member No.: 18,032 Region Association: North East States |
It's the carbon contact between the main lead in the center of the cap that carries current from the coil lead through the rotor to each of the spark plug leads. Spring loaded to keep it in contact as the rotor spins. If it's leaning it's in crooked and probably won't last very long, will be spun out and your car will stop dead almost certainly in the middle of a very busy intersection. Excellent explanation. I will keep messing with it until its in correctly. Thanks so much for the help. |
fixer34 |
Dec 12 2015, 12:03 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,085 Joined: 16-September 14 From: Chicago area Member No.: 17,908 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
I don't think there is much 'messing' you can do with it. One end of the carbon rod should be smaller-it fits into the spring inside the cap, that's what holds it in place. It may not be perfectly straight in the cap, but it shouldn't lean too much either. Might be time for a new cap.
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Spoke |
Dec 12 2015, 01:00 PM
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#5
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 6,986 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
Might be time for a new cap. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) If you can convince yourself the contact is secure and won't fall out, keep the cap. The downside to having this issue as mentioned is having to push your car home. A new cap is never a bad idea. |
74ravenna |
Dec 12 2015, 01:01 PM
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#6
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Member Group: Members Posts: 471 Joined: 19-October 14 From: nh Member No.: 18,032 Region Association: North East States |
I don't think there is much 'messing' you can do with it. One end of the carbon rod should be smaller-it fits into the spring inside the cap, that's what holds it in place. It may not be perfectly straight in the cap, but it shouldn't lean too much either. Might be time for a new cap. Hi fixer34, Its funny, no matter how much i tried I couldn't get it to stay in unless it was way crooked. I also thought it might be time for a new cap, but once I went onto 914world and asked the question and got an answer (thanks dbcooper) within a minute I had it fitting about 95% straight and it seems to be in quite securely. Thanks. |
sixnotfour |
Dec 12 2015, 01:05 PM
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#7
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 10,433 Joined: 12-September 04 From: Life Elevated..planet UT. Member No.: 2,744 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
you need a bosch cap or better quality with brass terminals
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boxsterfan |
Dec 12 2015, 02:49 PM
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#8
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914's are kewl Group: Members Posts: 1,776 Joined: 6-June 03 From: San Ramon, CA Member No.: 791 Region Association: Northern California |
I would drop $10 on a new cap.
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DBCooper |
Dec 12 2015, 03:03 PM
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#9
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14's in the 13's with ATTITUDE Group: Members Posts: 3,079 Joined: 25-August 04 From: Dazed and Confused Member No.: 2,618 Region Association: Northern California |
I would drop $10 on a new cap. +4 A lot of times when you're in college and broke you can put the contact back in successfully but you never know, and then when they fail it's ALWAYS when it's most inconvenient and raining. Ten bucks, cheap, good insurance, no worries. By the way, looking at your photo I didn't see the spring it seats into. Maybe it's in place, I don't know, can't really see into the hole. |
Shadowfax |
Dec 12 2015, 04:12 PM
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#10
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Show us the meaning of haste Group: Members Posts: 509 Joined: 19-January 15 Member No.: 18,340 Region Association: South East States |
Not sure if the 2.0 caps are the same as 1.7 or 1.8 but I have a spare 2.0 cap you can have. It's Bosch or Bremi -- can't remember offhand -- with a few hundred miles on it. PM me if you're interested and I'll get it mailed out Monday.
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TheCabinetmaker |
Dec 12 2015, 04:13 PM
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#11
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,301 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
I agree with sixer. Get a new cap. A Bosch cap!! You'll be "miles ahead".
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ripper911 |
Dec 12 2015, 05:03 PM
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#12
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corde pulsum tangite Group: Members Posts: 2,920 Joined: 25-April 10 From: Powder Springs, GA Member No.: 11,654 Region Association: South East States |
I don't think I've ever noticed that piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif) |
r_towle |
Dec 12 2015, 05:15 PM
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#13
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,585 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
Get two caps, keep one in the trunk.
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74ravenna |
Dec 12 2015, 05:42 PM
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#14
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Member Group: Members Posts: 471 Joined: 19-October 14 From: nh Member No.: 18,032 Region Association: North East States |
Thanks all for the great advice. I will certainly get a new cap (or two!)
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r_towle |
Dec 12 2015, 06:57 PM
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#15
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,585 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
A) what is your name and real location?
B) Northern Foreign Auto Parts in Nashua, they will,have,what you need.... Rich |
74ravenna |
Dec 12 2015, 07:38 PM
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#16
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Member Group: Members Posts: 471 Joined: 19-October 14 From: nh Member No.: 18,032 Region Association: North East States |
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r_towle |
Dec 12 2015, 09:09 PM
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#17
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,585 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
Steve, glad to meet.
John , Wndsnd is near you, so is Gandalf and Scotty. There must be a local foreign place for parts nearby....but if you need any used stuff, feel free to reach out, I have a decent stash. Rich |
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