Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Ignition System - Solid State: Description: Distributor
Components are divided into 3 groups, the sensor and trigger wheel, the spark advance, and the cap and rotor. The trigger wheel which has 6 or 8 teeth (1 per cylinder), rotates with the distributor shaft. The sensor is a coil of fine wire mounted around a permanent magnet.
There are no contacting surfaces between the trigger wheel and sensor. Dwell is not adjustable and is controlled electronically.
Centrifugal advance is controlled by engine speed. Vacuum spark advance is controlled by carburetor ported vacuum, supplied to the distributor's vacuum unit. Distributor cap and rotor are of conventional design.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.