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MG MGA - Distributor question

My timing is a little off. I loosened the clamp on the distributor but can only seem to turn it about 1/4 to 1/2 inch at the most. I didn't loosen the 2 bolts into the block. How much should I be able to rotate the distributor?
Cheers, Jerry
Jerry Murphy

The vacuum advance line could be limiting distributer movement due to its clip or it could be hitting the heater control valve.

Don't mess with the two bolts in the block. They hold the distributer mounting sleeve in place.

If interference with the vacuum advance unit is not the problem, try loosening distributer clamp a little more. With the clamp loosened, you should be able to rotate the distributer at least 90 degrees.

Good luck.
Don
D. R. Carlberg

With vacuum line disconnected the distributor body should rotate freely 360 degrees.

When the distributor turns a small distance and then siezes, this is indication that the clamp and the base of the distributor are no longer round. This comes about from overtightening the clamp, which also distorts the distributor casting, often breaking it.

Check here for pictures, notes and repairs: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig102.htm
Barney Gaylord

Hi, Jerry - as usual, Barney is dead-on. I've got a couple of distributor housings totally ruined by some gorilla tightening the clamp nut too hard.

Oh, if you're having problems getting a 7/16" wrench on that nut, there's a very good reason. It's NOT a 7/16" nut! It's a 3/16" Whitworth, which is about 15 thousandths larger than a 7/16" AF. You can file an old open end wrench slightly larger, then paint it red before throwing it back in your toolbox.

And, who was it that said there was no Whitworth on an MGA? - Cheers - - Alec
Alec Darnall

Alec
Most of the pipe fittings are Whitworth too! - Pete
Pete Tipping

This thread was discussed between 13/09/2005 and 16/09/2005

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