Which distributor?

[roodini]

I'm about to do a basic service on my 86 R4 GTL and i'd like to fit a new set of points, unfortunately my manual hasn't arrived as yet, and i'm unable to determine which distributor is fitted to my car. According to the man at the motor factors there were four different types, any ideas?

 

[Simon.AU]

Any chance of a pic to help in the ID parade?

The name may be engraved into the metal body, Ducellier, SEV, Femsa or something.

 

[roodini]

Distributor says Femsa so at least I can get a set of points. Now i've discovered something else, there's a thin hose that comes round from the carburettor that was hanging loose and appeared to fit on to a tube attached to the side of the distributor, but when I connected it the car ran like a pig. Any suggestions?

 

[malcolm]

That'll be the vacuum advance hose. It retards the ignition timing on high engine load to prevent pinking.

Chances are someone has fiddled with the timing to componsate for the missing hose, so you'll probably need to reset the timing. It'll need doing anyway when you do the points.

Welcome to the forum. How long have you owned the 4?

 

[roodini]

I bought the 4 roughly three weeks ago, it's actually my second 4, as I used to have a van some twenty years ago whilst living in France. As I don't have a manual as yet, is setting the timing pretty straightforward?

 

[malcolm]

It's best to set the timing with the engine running using a strobe light. I think for the R4 I normally go for about 6 degrees advance at idle with the vacuum hose disconnected. Seems to work for unleaded.

There is another method (slightly less accurate) where you use a voltmeter (or a light bulb) to detect when the points open. Again about 6 degrees could be a good starting point. If the engine pinks under load it would need retarding a little, and it it is sluggish with poor throttle response it would need advancing.

 

[roodini]

I've managed to borrow both a strobe light and a dwell meter, now admission time, i've never used either, (the last time I saw a set of points was 1979 on a Yam 250). Would someone please talk/type me through this procedure in best idiotese, also what's the dwell angle/degrees for the Femsa distributor.
I assume that first I set the points gap once the new set's installed, but how do I go about setting 6 degrees advance etc!

 

[Steve Hennessey]

Probably a good start would be to buy a haynes manual. Get it direct from Haynes or they often appear on ebay.

In a past thread I gave a detailed account of checking the condition of distributors. Do a search - I'm sure it's still there somewhere.

Steve

 

[roodini]

I have a manual on order, should arrive any day now. Sorted out how to set the points, do the dwell angle, but i'd still like info re dwell angle for a Femsa distributor and how do I set 6 degrees advance! Steve, I checked your thread re distributors and found it to be good practical advice. Thanks.