Dizzy cap ...

[jimed]

I was changing the antifreeze yesterday and whilst I was at it thought that I'd also change the dizzy cap and rotor arm as a friend who had an S3C some time ago had passed on his unused bits which incl these items from Motorcraft. Off come the ignition leads from the cap and I'm undoing the fixing screws when I notice the new cap (Motorcraft 6580693 which according to the parts lists is the correct cap) has female fittings and the old one has male ones. Hmm. I then remember that when I replaced the leads I had to change them for a 2.8 set (I think) which had the female ends on so decide to go the the factors and get a new cap. Factor doesn't have one but can order what he thinks is the correct one; I'm unsure about this in case its the wrong one when it comes and I can't return it, so ask if he has the correct leads so that everything is then back to "standard fit". The new cap is about £7 whereas the leads are about £20 (both plus VAT) so decide to get the leads to fit the new Motorcraft cap. Get home and take all the old leads off the car and carefully lay them out so as to get the right ones in the correct places; I then notice that the old lead from the coil is female to female (the car has a funny looking square sort of coil on it and this has a male HT connection) and the new one for this is male at both ends - oh! I decide to go again to the factors and see if they have a short male/female lead I can use with the new leads. They don't but I then remember that the old lead set (a couple of years old so still fine really) came with 2 of these leads with different ends on and I still have the other one - so after seeing what I can do if it doesn't work out with the other lead I go home again and dig out the other lead. This has a male at one end and female at the other but the female end is straight which is no use because of the bonnet closing.
I then put all the old stuff - except the rotor arm - M'craft 6580693 which is OK - back on the car and start it up to get the antifreeze circulated, etc. Whist I'm doing this I wonder if I still have the box from the dizzy cap that is on the car (Lucas DDB752) so whilst its warming up I rummage about and find the old box with the previous cap as well (kept as a spare in case). The box lists the other uses for the cap on the lid so decide to go to the factors again with the new leads for refund and the old cap + box and order a new cap. They can't cross reference to the Lucas part number but after looking at the picture of the proposed new cap I order one which will be there this morning. I've since been and got the new cap and it is the correct one (Motaquip VDC 245 - this has the male fittings on it) so I'm now sorted. I'll fit it in the next few days.
The bits are now sorted but what a mess about - maybe the part no info above will be useful to others though. The only worry I now have is that if I need to replace the coil it will almost certainly be with an ordinary round sort with the standard female fitting on it; but as the leads set I got last time had the 2 HT main leads with it it will be fine.
Phew!! I didn't mean to go on about this but then it may be useful to someone else and its all a bit light hearted ..
Jim

[ketvrin]

Hell Jim I have a dissy cap with male ends brand new and unused you could have had... maybe you should take your new one back and get your dosh back ? - would pay for one of Normaldis boot tidies

pm me your address and I'll send it anyway...

It probably wont fit a Griff though...

K

Edited by ketvrin on Friday 16th January 15:01

[TonupS2]

So new female, old male, but should be female, so new leads but female to female, sq coil is male and needs male to male, short male/female, then male and female but the female is straight! correct one all male???? I feel Dizzy! Was this post about a transvestite?

'Normaldis'

[jimed]

Thanks for the offer Kevin but after all the messing about, and as it was a special order as well, I can't really take the new one back. Maybe we do a swap at S Club or something but then will I really need another new one - the one that's on has lasted 10 years and is really fine anyway?
Jim

[ketvrin]

OK Jim glad you are sorted anyway... although after TonupS2's clarification I'm not sure

So, anyone else want a spanking new male dissy ? Grey ?

just pm me and providing you dont live somewhere thats gonna cost me $qui££ion$ to post it, its yours...

K

[TonupS2]

What gets me is why did Ford have so many variables, surely it adds to their production/design costs having to change the design of dizzy caps and leads on each (albeit very similar) engine? Or was there good reason to change the male/female ends and straight/kinked ends?

[ketvrin]

My guess is the dissy cap was dictated by the type of coil used, although I have no idea why a different coil was used? could it be S3C's have the rectangular coil so have the male leads and dissy whereas the non-cats have the tubular coil and so the female fittings ?

no doubt some sage will be along in a minute to edify us all ?

K

[Barkychoc]

TonupS2 said:

What gets me is why did Ford have so many variables, surely it adds to their production/design costs having to change the design of dizzy caps and leads on each (albeit very similar) engine? Or was there good reason to change the male/female ends and straight/kinked ends?

What I believe is normally the case is that one manufacturer can't meet demand - so they end up with 2 or more types, Motorcraft / Bosch etc.

[markbigears]

My S3C had a round coil from new.