distributor cap noise

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:08 am

Well I was driving yesterday and when sitting idle I could hear a huming noise. So I got home about 5 mins later and popped the hood. And it sounded like right behind the engine there was a bad bearing or something.

So I took it over to my uncles and he looked at it. And said the distributor cap was vibrating really bad and he could stop the noise and vibration by just holding onto the cap.

Has anyone else had this issue b4? He thinks the caps either cracked or not down all the way. He also said there may be a problem with a rotor rubbing on the cap to.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:13 am

Check for a cracked housing: Plastic Distributor

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:36 am

Replaced the cap and rotor and the noise was still there for alittle bit. Then it went away. So I am unsure whats up with it.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:50 pm

Check the housing.

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:07 pm

the housing for the distributor?

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:24 pm

Follow the link I added in my first post.

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:54 pm

we checked that when we was putting the distributor on. It didnt seem to have anything wrong there.

It is not making the noise now. I have turned it on 3-4 times and no noise. But when I first put the new rotor and distributor on it was quite then when i gave it more gas it seemed to vibrate some and now no noise. Not sure if its fixed or not.

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:08 pm

Pull the cap and check for slack by turning the rotor. There have been drive gear failures. That could offer a vibration in the shaft. If it feels rough or has freeplay, pull it for inspection.
If indeed it turns out to be bad, consider a whole new one with the aluminum distributor housing.

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:15 am

What is the advantages of a alum housing? Just having a hard time stripping? I looked up on autozone / napa and none i seen had a alum housing. the only one I saw with a Alum housing was on ebay. And Im not to keen on car parts from ebay.

link't long url -HJ

The auction does not even say a name brand. I would rather buy something from a parts store If I can.

Post by **HenryJ** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:45 am

Try Rockauto

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:17 am

All the ones on rockauto do not look metal. They all look like plastic composite.

Post by **HenryJ** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:00 am

Wow. Dig a little:

HenryJ wrote:Another option:
Rockauto wrote:UNITED IGNITION WIRE Part # 9363 {High-Performance Engineered, with Aluminum Housing & Brass Cap & Rotor} $132.79

United Distributor Info

Our search function really does work

You may need to search other suppliers, or call Rockauto see if they still carry United.

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:04 pm

I did use the search and I couldnt find it. I searched this site. Autozone. Ebay. rockauto and google and only found the one I posted.

Post by **HenryJ** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:07 pm

That picture and part number belong to Rockauto. You can call as I mentioned.
I think if I were looking the ebay one would be worth a shot.
That or buy Accel. It is billet and if I have any doubts when the time comes, that is probably where I'll go.

If you search the "aluminum Distributor", you will find a whole thread dealing with this as well as Jim's install. He purchased one and installed it.

All this really is jumping the gun until you have had to pull the dist. and found you need a new one. Time for wrench'n

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:48 am

I called United and it turns out I can get one from a parts store 4 blocks down the road.

If I pull the dist. do I need to retime it after i put it back in?

Post by **HenryJ** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:07 am

Ours is locked so phasing , or "timing" is not required other than getting the rotor aligned (timed) properly.
This procedure is outlined in our website information page.

Smackre · Post by **Smackre** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:34 am

Thanks