The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Distributor ?'s

1) On my 292 I look down and expect either clips or screws holding on my Distributor cap. However, there are what looks to be rivets with a big '+' on the top (but not like a phillips head screw). So how do I take the cap off to check the insides?

2) Related... I also see the condensor clamped to the coil but NO WIRES GOING TO IT. Two wires come from the same harness and go to one side of the coil. This makes me scratch my head. I'm almost guessing that one of the wires 'used to' go to the condenser.

Comments on either of these issues is welcome. Thanks.

Rance (trying to get it to hit on all 6 rather than just 5)

Rance,

This answer is probably too easy and obvious but...

Are the hold downs on the distributor cap like the GM HEI units? I'm not exactly sure what you're describing, but it sounds similiar.

If they are, they're spring loaded... Push down with a screwdriver, and turn about 180 degrees. There's a little finger that grips the bottom of the distributor. They (2) turn out of the way, and free up the cap.

On a '66 like yours, they are likely to just be screws that you undo with a flat-blade crew driver. Should be one screw close to the block and another near the vacuum advance. That's the way it is on my '65 C20 with a stock 292.

Rance,

My vote is with Jed on the distributor screws... The condenser on the coil is a special kind that works without wires. It senses the energy around it and then condenses it. You can use a DED (Baldy) to see if it's working properly.

Stuart.

Concerning the two wires to your coil:
One is the ignition wire. It runs through a ballast resistor to reduce the voltage to the coil. This extends the life of the points.
The other wire is the start wire. It sends a full 12 V to the coil when your switch is in the start position.

The + on the heads are screws. Use a flat blade screwdriver & turn them several turns untill the cap comes off. They will not come out of the cap. The condenser on the coil is for radio suppression.The wire must be broken. If the radio does not have ign. interference foget it.

Well, I got me a good flat-head screwdriver and was able to simply unscrew them both. Unfortunately, the innerds looked ok. I guess I'll hope the cap needs replacement soon so I can get one with 'real' screws in it.
I think you're right on the condenser strapped to the coil. I think it was there as a filter for the radio (which no longer exists). Thanks for the tips guys.

Rance

Rance,

Just wanted to pass on my thanks for the follow-up.

Always nice to hear whether we've helped, or led you astray.