DISTRIBUTOR EARTH WIRE

[Pmor]

Gradually sorting out all small niggles on my car.
When I removed the distributor cap I found that the small braided earth wire has broken away from its solder. connection.
I presume this can effect the spark produced.
Should I try resoldering this back or can I just drill and fit a screw to hold it on the distributor metal body.?
Not sure why this earth should break. Any ideas gratefully received.

[Dick]

If this wire fails it will give all sorts of problems and must be connected the reason they go is the internals of the dist base plate move so make sure the wire is slack. Have used the braid for de soldering to replace this wire in the old days as I found they are very short when they fail .

And that another tip from the old days

[Pmor]

Thanks. I understand now, it's the movement that causes it to break.
Do you think I can replace it with a slack piece of copper wire or is it best to stick with the braided type..?
Not sure where I buy this braided wire if I need a longer bit.

[Dick]

ebay sell it type in or get some one with ebay to search for desoldering braid and lots come up, maplins or rs sell it as well, so get the correct type after all its lasted this long. Best not use normal wire as it will not flex and will fail very quickly. The braid in cheap as well

[Pmor]

Thanks . for that tip.. I have just searched and lots of it is available.
I'll try and get a similar gauge.
Using a soldering iron in there will not do any damage to other components?
As distributor on mine is high up and easy to access with just the cap removed.

[Dick]

Don't put the soldering iron near the condenser or let any soilder drop in the distributor. Just make a new lead if you push a small braddel or small screw driver through the braid it will leave a hole then solder it this will give you a ready made eyelet

[Pmor]

Great idea.. Sounds like you've done this many a time.
I will just add to existing braid and make sure I leave plenty of slack as existing one is a bit short

[Pmor]

Just out of interest, what are the symptoms if this earth is not making?

[Dick]

poor starting, miss fire, pinking, not starting at all, engine running but down on power, running hot, burning points out and general running like poop

[Pmor]

That's interesting as I recently had it tuned at BD engineering.
It all runs sweet.. But they thought it just lacked a little power for a 2litre lump.
Maybe this is the cause of it.