Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

mrweelr

mrweelr

New member
Does anyone know how to prevent or minimize the distributor rotor and pickup surfaces from rusting? I had to clean up the contacts on my MSD Pro Billet dist. yesterday because they were covered with rust. Is there some kind of rust inhibitor I can coat the surfaces with that won't interfere with the spark transfer? Any help would be appreciated.

Distributor.JPG
 
4C FED

4C FED

Absolutum Dominium
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

Maybe paint it with some rust converter then sand the ends down?
Or clean it real good first & then paint it.
Not sure how long paint would last inside the cap but it might be worth a try.
 
TYTILIDIE

TYTILIDIE

METH HEAD
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

Its not rust, its carbon tracking. Someone correct me if I am wrong but I am 99% positive thats what it is. Think about it, trhere is no moisture in there.
 
mrweelr

mrweelr

New member
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

You may be right, because the distributor is not very old and I don't live in an area that's conducive to rust. Either way, I want clean metal-to-metal spark transfer without that crap on the contacts. I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this and what they did to prevent it. It only happened after a few thousand miles. If it's nothing to worry about, I guess I'll live with it.
 
Tooky

Tooky

Serious about performance
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

I have the same rust on my distributor, 2 different stock distributors. But I don't think it has caused me any problems. Wouldn't mind getting rid of it if you do find the solution though..
 
ghettosled

ghettosled

SYTY SUPERSTORE
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

only the face of the reluctor completes the magnetic circuit, so the portions that are rusted have nothing to do with the spark transfer. just cosmetic.
 
James Thomas

James Thomas

"NO CLASS"
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

It's not carbon..... it is rust. Condensation is formed in the dist cap (even if you don't wash under the hood) from heat up cool down cycles and the mosture in the air. Wire wheel / brush it and use any rust prep. of your choice such as:
a thin coat of dielectric grease,
Corrosion Block http://www.learchem.com/
CRC SP-400 http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=03282&S=Y
CRC HDCI Marine http://www.crcindustries.com/marine/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=06026&S=N
S100 Corrosion Spray http://www.s100.com/s100_cp.htm

_________
James
 
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gmcturbo

Active member
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

this is nothing to worry about. if you're realy concerned check the output of the pickup coil with a DSO it should be 4V peak to peak ac voltage cranking.
 
TYTILIDIE

TYTILIDIE

METH HEAD
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

I dont know, I have talked to a lot of guys about this back when I was into my Vette and what not. There is nothing you can do, its gonna be there. On my Vette, I had a clear dist cap, didnt do it nearly as much, not sure why but then I also had MSD, not sure that meant anythign either.
 
mrweelr

mrweelr

New member
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

Thanks guys. I think I'll just apply a very thin coat of dialectric grease over the rotor and pickup contacts. As far as the moisture goes, since I have a Goodmark cowl hood, water always ends up on the rear area of the engine compartment. I change my cap and rotor ever few thousand miles because they don't last long with the MSD blaster coil. Will make it a point to clean up the distributor each time I swap the cap and rotor.
 
TYTILIDIE

TYTILIDIE

METH HEAD
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

mrweelr said:
Thanks guys. I think I'll just apply a very thin coat of dialectric grease over the rotor and pickup contacts. As far as the moisture goes, since I have a Goodmark cowl hood, water always ends up on the rear area of the engine compartment. I change my cap and rotor ever few thousand miles because they don't last long with the MSD blaster coil. Will make it a point to clean up the distributor each time I swap the cap and rotor.
Click to expand...

I wouldnt do it, I can see it just getting hot in there and gumming up.
 
mrweelr

mrweelr

New member
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

What about a dabbing some WD-40 on them? Maybe I should just leave them alone and quit being so paranoid :lol:
 
TYTILIDIE

TYTILIDIE

METH HEAD
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

mrweelr said:
What about a dabbing some WD-40 on them? Maybe I should just leave them alone and quit being so paranoid :lol:
Click to expand...

Yeah, dont worry about it man. Rust, carbon, whatever, it truly is, it is not gonna take your truck out you know? Nor will it make your ignition last any longer so why bother?
 
James Thomas

James Thomas

"NO CLASS"
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

Ok, if you say so. The grease will be fine. WD-40 will evaporate after a short time but is ok for that short period. I have had to replace / rebuild distributors due to excessive rust and corrosion problems. Granted, some worse than others and depending on THAT vehicles actual condition but rust is rust and if left unchecked it will take it's toll after years.

___________
James
 
TYTILIDIE

TYTILIDIE

METH HEAD
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

James Thomas said:
Ok, if you say so. The grease will be fine. WD-40 will evaporate after a short time but is ok for that short period. I have had to replace / rebuild distributors due to excessive rust and corrosion problems. Granted, some worse than others and depending on THAT vehicles actual condition but rust is rust and if left unchecked it will take it's toll after years.

___________
James
Click to expand...

Funny, never had or knew anyone who had that problem. My advice to anyone with that problem would be to make sure you put your cap on right. Everything takes its toll after YEARS :roll: Personally, I have never had a dist go bad and put thousands of thousands of miles on them. Not saying they dont, but from rusty film? Get serious, if youchange your cap out as recommended during your regular tune ups and spray some cleaner on htere you'll be fine. Putting grease in there is just going over board.
 
TYTILIDIE

TYTILIDIE

METH HEAD
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

You know, if it were rust, it would be magnetic, tomorrow morning I will pull my cap off and see how much of hte red dust sticks to my magnet, if it does, I will stand corrected that its not carbon, but still, grease is unnecassary. If you think about it logically, your contacts will get chewed up WAY before the dust will tear things up, IF it ever does.
 
BigAl...

BigAl...

Member
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

whats happening hear is, as the arc jumps across it creates ozone which loves to create rust. but as mentioned earlier it will NOT cause a problem. but as long as you guys have your distributors out you SHOULD/MUST!!! change your p/u coil. the youngest these little guys will be is 15 years old and they only cost about $20. you'd be surprised at how many of you have failing p/u coils and don't know it! have you ever noticed your rpm signal on a log to be very jagged? "p/u coil time"

Just my .02 worth

BigAl...
 
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gmcturbo

Active member
Re: Distributor Rotor/Pickup Rust - How to Prevent?

this is NOT carbon and there is NO spark transfer in the pick up coil. it works off induction the distributor shaft is magnetic and creates a ac voltage signature in the pick up coil.
 
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