I am suspicious that my new rotor/distributor cap installation is messing up my 245....

I had some trouble reapplying the new cap ... it didn't seem to seat correctly on my distributor AND the hall sender connector is pretty loose... I've done some reading in the FAQ's about that one...

my main question is about the dust cap just under the rotor ... is it supposed to be set in a specific set location or is it able to move around wherever when applied ... mine doesn't seem to set in any specific location and I was wondering if that would cause intermittent loss of power/acceleration.

thanks,

jack
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'86 245, 266,000 mi., '87 760T 140,000 mi. - Columbus, Ohio

Jack - some dust covers have a notch corresponding to the notch in the distributor body that the lug on the distributor cap fits into. Check yours carefully. That type of dust cover goes in one way only.

If your dust cover has no locating lug or notch, dab the rim with a couple of dabs of silicone so it won't come loose and move around inside the dist.

On my 80 245, with the orange cap, the cap can only go on one way.

Those clips have to clip on to the little "ridge" or bump for them.

The Chrysler white cap has 2 screws, and I think it's keyed as well.
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'

I have the same cap orange in color. Mine, yes only goes on one way, but when installed the cap is kinda loose. (I can twist it 1/4inch each way R/L)and the cap has never really seated or locked into place like most other auto brands caps. IE, CHEVY/FORD, cant twist those caps.
I am wondering the same as the original poster, about the dust boot under the cap. It is not really a boot but what ever it is called has me thinking that it is kinda messing with the fit of my cap. Althow I have no problems with performance or the like. Just a loose cap. LOL
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Kevin * HONDA spanking,1985 240DL * VOLVO ON!!!!

after pulling out the distributor, bending my trigger wheel (to try to get a look at the wires of my hall sender), bending it back and hoping it would work I figured out what my problem was ... the cap has a squared off ridge that fits into the slot in the rim of the distributor ... I had installed the cap so that ridge was trying to seal to a place (180 degrees out) where there was no slot for it to go in.

therefore I didn't have a proper seal, therefore intermittent loss of acceleration (one clue was it got worse during wet conditions).

I'd bet that you have the same condition Kevin and that yours is able to establish a better seal than mine even though it's not positioned correctly.

thanks all for the clues which led me to my conclusion!

jack
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'86 245, 266,000 mi., '87 760T 140,000 mi. - Columbus, Ohio

if you do not install that dust cover, nothing happens. not the reason of misfiring etc. actually it may be fitted only in one correct position, if not broken. the hall sensor connector loose - possible wire damage inside distributor can cause problems you are having. seems to me that distributor needs little checking and fixing...good luck
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i prefer non-german cars

thanks mgarageu,

so if I understand your post correctly the dust cap can be installed in any way (0 to 360 degrees) and it won't make any difference?

I will remove the top of the distributor and check the wires going to the hall sender.

thanks again,

jack
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'86 245, 266,000 mi., '87 760T 140,000 mi. - Columbus, Ohio

There is no earthly reason for a dust cap to have a locating notch, that of course does not mean that there will be none. And having thought this a little more, I see that am wrong. From the 60s and 70s, Borsh distributer bodies used a large notch to located the cap, the dust cover also was "notched" to fit into the notch and maintain the seal.

Later cars did not use a dust cover, and for many earlier ones, the cover was pitched by lazy mechanics like myself.

Most, but not all distributer caps will lock positively into place. The side clips spring tension will be strong enough to keep the cap from turning.

What we could have here is a case of a possible wrong distributer and/or the wrong cap.

as you will see from my last post you are spot on ...

I never realized the cap had a segment in it that locked it in tight.

my distributor now is much easier to clip into place ...

BTW - still works with a bent up trigger wheel as well .. I must have bent it back into place good enough.

thanks,

jack
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'86 245, 266,000 mi., '87 760T 140,000 mi. - Columbus, Ohio