Distributor Noise

[DTrain]

Got a weird dist., noise.

Started out with a little rattle, almost raspy noise in the low RPMS, I almost couldn’t hear it and didn’t know what it was at first.

Today it got more consistent and I could find the noise while maning the throttle under the hood. Once I realized the noise was at the back of the motor and could feel a matching tap/vibration when I put my hand on the dist cap.

So first thing first, I figured I’d try replacing the cap and rotor. Just got that wrapped up and the noise is now a steady noise. Totally the rotor on the points.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[DTrain]

Forgot to mention, ‘99 454. I put this motor in rebuilt about 20/25,000 miles ago. I cannot remember if this dist was new or one I rebuilt when the motor was done.

 

[stutaeng]

Does it have play? Try to wiggle it... I think the gears can wear out on them?

 

[DTrain]

I did check movement while I had the cap off. Everything seemed normal to me.

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

Step 1 is diag and parts cannoning a cap and rotor.

Step 2 is replacing the entire distributor and resetting crank angle.

 

[Schurkey]

Wild Guess: Typical plastic distributor wear problems. Bushings gone.

INSPECT old rotor and cap terminals--any evidence of contact?

 

[DTrain]

Yeah, definitely looks like there’s been contact

 

[Schurkey]

There's your answer. Also explains why a NEW cap and rotor were MORE noisy--they hadn't worn each other out. Time for a different distributor.

 

[DTrain]

Death trap if I drive it?

 

[Schurkey]

Rotor hits the cap hard enough, either the rotor breaks, or the cap shatters. Is a suddenly, unexpectedly stalled vehicle a death trap?

Generally, I'd say "no".

That might change if I drove down steep, twisty mountain roads (no power steering, no power brakes when the engine quits) or if I drove through the "wrong side of town" at sundown