volvo 501 prestolite distributer

[pine island fred]

Thought I would pass this along. Took quite a few hours to find. Friends motor shut down in a hurry from 3600 rpm., would not restart. Although the rotor was nice and tight on the shaft it was at least 5 cyls. off on firing. On close examination of the rotor found that it did slip and damages the indexing land in the plastic rotor. Hardly noticable. Small piece of spring laying under the cap. Removed the 2 small screws securing the module and found that both springs on the centrifugal advance had corroded and just about disappeared. <br /> Small piece of spring somehow worked its way up into the dist. cap and locked up the rotor. Small shiny scrapes on 3 of the plug wire pickups, otherwise no signs of damage. Is about a 1992 290DP with a volvo 501. Prestolite distributer. Wondering if this could have caused noticable detonitation at higher power settings? regards fred

 

[pine island fred]

Re: volvo 501 prestolite distributer

One more question! While troubleshooting, attempted to us a timing light. The crankshaft dampener has a large yellow decal with degrees on it. Thats fine, but the stationary bracket on the engine is totally rusted. Bracket is a saw tooth affair with about 6 teeth. One tooth is cut back larger than the others. Is the large tooth my mark for timeng ? Volvo 501, small block chevy. Thanks fred

 

[Don S]

Re: volvo 501 prestolite distributer

The deep mark on the bracket is 0° TDC.<br />The groove in the vibration dampner is also 0.<br />Picture should tell the rest.<br /><br />

<br /><br />If the springs are bad, they need replace (If you can find them. Look for a speed shop)<br />New cap and rotor and you should be back in shape.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: volvo 501 prestolite distributer

Thanks don! now i know what i am looking at. Yea, the springs are completely gone. Speed shop sounds like a good idea. Never had a distributer worked on. fred