Here's a question to the FCBO hive-mind:
Why can't one just clean up a used distributor cap and rotor with emery cloth and carbon cleaner? Wouldn't that work?
Ross,
That WORKS FINE, for several iterations, which is why I keep good brass/copper stuff when replacing. We Impoverished Junkies often DO things like that as a matter of fact.
BUT:
Regarding electrical contacts, and conductive surfaces, a few basic physical realities must be kept in mind.
1) Surface irregularities cause irregular, undesirable electrical behavior! Since distributors deal with voltages ranging from ~20 kV-100kV, meaning the dielectric breakdown distances in the system will be on orders of kilovolts/millimeter, differences in contact thickness around the top of the cap result in different spark voltages delivered to the plugs at the cylinder. This variation in turn translates to some cylinders failing to fire as well as others, leading to carbon buildup, rough running, suboptimal performance all around the engine.
SO: One must exercise the UTMOST CARE when cleaning the contact surfaces inside the distributor cap, to insure the most homogeneous spark distribution. Given the nature of distributor caps, very few people possess the necessary tools to insure the degree of uniformity required for a cleaned, "remanufactured" distributor cap, and until recently had no financial incentive to attempt a good cleaning and careful contact polishing on a used cap.
NOW, and in the foreseeable future, TIMES BE A CHANGIN'!
As sociopath internationalist crapitalists run amok seeking ever more servile slave populations to exploit for short term super-profits, quality of newly manufactured or manu-FRACTURED OEM replacement parts will continue to plummet Hellbound, resulting in shortages of acceptable quality parts. This trend forces us to either manufacture brand new distributor parts for ourselves, or at least RE-manufacture them from old, gently used stock. I've done so since the purchase of my first V8 in 1979, and learned by 1987 enough to refurbish the electro-mechanical parts of a 1960s U.S. made car to a very useful degree.
Be this as it may, I never have been able to wring more than 2 further use cycles from a GOOD distributor cap, rotor, breaker points or spark plug, and seldom more than 1 additional use cycle. The conductor material always gets burned away, and the surfaces can NEVER be returned to original Off The Shelf quality. I mentioned 1987, as I then worked in an industrial maintenance shop for a year, repairing VERY OLD, OBSOLETE EUROPEAN MACHINERY, and had access to tools, and excellent instruction in these arts.
So,
YES, we CAN extend the useful life expectancy of our electro-mechanical ignition components by as much as 200%, though in practice, obtaining even 100% re-use time should seldom be expected. Settle for 50% and be content with saving yourselves that much $$. I do. This in total honesty is ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I DRIVE OLD 1960s MOPARS: I CAN get EXTRA SERVICE from the entire vehicle by some time honored techniques which I pray won't be forgotten by today's electronic entertainment maddened youth.
The shining example of Mathilda, and the genuine affection she engenders in youngsters even today gives me grounds for hope in this.
