Distributer cap removal?
Discussion
Sid,
It's easiest from above, IMHO. Kneel in the boot as John suggested (ie, assume the Lotus Position). Then either snake an arm in from behind and under the rear carb, or slide your right arm around the right side and under the plenum. Neither is particularly comfortable and it helps to have slender arms.
Federal Carb 910's have a dashpot and actuating lever mounted on the back of the rear carb. Together they effectively block your path in from behind and under the carb. If your DOM car has the dashpot too (sorry, I don't have a DOM parts list), just remove it. It's an emissions device that you may need to replace before the next inspection, but the engine will respond better without it. If you do remove the dashpot lever from the carb, be certain you react the wrench torque with the lever and don't, under any circumstances (loosening or tightening the nut), ever apply torque to the carb butterfly shaft. It's weak brass and will twist, throwing the butterflies hopelessly out of balance.
If you just can't make either of those "reach in" methods work, then remove the plenum cover/box. That's not a big deal, just 10 bolts. Less work than you'll put into finding an "easier" way.
Once you get to the distributor, you will find two black, steel spring clips retaining the cap. Just pry them away from the cap and they will snap off, releasing the cap. The pivot end of the spring clips is rolled into a loop and fits into a pocket cast into the distributor body. Once the clip is released from the cap, it's free to lift out... or fall out of it's pocket in the distributor. Be careful you don't let it fall down into the darkness or you'll be fishing with a magnet.
Regardless of how you approach the job, be careful about just forcing your arms into the tight space under the manifold. There are a number of vacuum hoses and small electrical connections under the manifold and plenum that are easy to knock off. Figuring out where they all go and getting them back on can be time consuming and frustrating.
If you do take the plenum cover off, access to the oil filter is also much easier. Regardless of why you're going in there, it would be a good time to change the filter as well. They're cheap.
Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North
>> Edited by Esprit2 on Saturday 18th December 17:36
It's easiest from above, IMHO. Kneel in the boot as John suggested (ie, assume the Lotus Position). Then either snake an arm in from behind and under the rear carb, or slide your right arm around the right side and under the plenum. Neither is particularly comfortable and it helps to have slender arms.
Federal Carb 910's have a dashpot and actuating lever mounted on the back of the rear carb. Together they effectively block your path in from behind and under the carb. If your DOM car has the dashpot too (sorry, I don't have a DOM parts list), just remove it. It's an emissions device that you may need to replace before the next inspection, but the engine will respond better without it. If you do remove the dashpot lever from the carb, be certain you react the wrench torque with the lever and don't, under any circumstances (loosening or tightening the nut), ever apply torque to the carb butterfly shaft. It's weak brass and will twist, throwing the butterflies hopelessly out of balance.
If you just can't make either of those "reach in" methods work, then remove the plenum cover/box. That's not a big deal, just 10 bolts. Less work than you'll put into finding an "easier" way.
Once you get to the distributor, you will find two black, steel spring clips retaining the cap. Just pry them away from the cap and they will snap off, releasing the cap. The pivot end of the spring clips is rolled into a loop and fits into a pocket cast into the distributor body. Once the clip is released from the cap, it's free to lift out... or fall out of it's pocket in the distributor. Be careful you don't let it fall down into the darkness or you'll be fishing with a magnet.
Regardless of how you approach the job, be careful about just forcing your arms into the tight space under the manifold. There are a number of vacuum hoses and small electrical connections under the manifold and plenum that are easy to knock off. Figuring out where they all go and getting them back on can be time consuming and frustrating.
If you do take the plenum cover off, access to the oil filter is also much easier. Regardless of why you're going in there, it would be a good time to change the filter as well. They're cheap.
Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North
>> Edited by Esprit2 on Saturday 18th December 17:36
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