Can a distributor pick up coil cause rough idle and power loss, 'cause mine looks like s--t!

 

Jethro,

A cracked or burned pickup can contribute to weak spark. A cracked reluctor can cause no spark or a miss on some cylinders. If you suspect the pickup is bad, check the ciol resistance and resistance to ground. There should be infinite resistance to ground with the coil disconnected, and resistance across the coil leads should be at least 500 ohms, but not more than 1,500 ohms.

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Later,
Vader
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"Make Me Bad"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

Thanks Vader! I posted this in the electrical section, but I'll ask again here in case someone else knows...Do I have to pull the distributor to change the pickup coil or module on a '90 IROC 350 TPI with the divorced coil? It looks like I can get it pretty easily, and the Chilton's manual said some distributors don't require removal for this procedure. Thanks guys.

 

I think your v8 remote-coil distrib is the same as my v6's- except for that obvious 2 extra terminals! The module can replaced with the distributor on the car (tight squeeze), but the pickup coil can't, since the reluctor needs to be removed from the shaft.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

Oh well, I guess I was just doin' a little wishful thinking. Looks like I will be pulling the distributor in the next couple of weeks when I get the time. Is the reluctor that iron piece with the metal teeth/notches cut into it? Are there any other small parts I should pick up and replace while I have the distributor out besides the pickup coil and possibly the ignition module? Like I said, there's all kinds of corrosion and crud under the cap on that thing. Do I need to buy a gasket to put back on after I tweak the distributor? Sorry about all the questions, and I really appreciate your help with this.

 

the reluctor is part of the mainshaft. imo i recommend replacing the the mainshaft too. they are not overly expensive, and it ain't everyday you take out the distributer. many of the technicians i work with always change the shaft with the pick-up coil.

 

I'm glad you mentioned that because I'd have never thought of it until I had the d-mned thing apart. Can I get one at NAPA or Autozone or something? I'm just a little tight for money now 'cause the wife is sick of my car projects! Thanks for the advice!

 

you can get these from the gm dealer or your larger delco distributers. when i first replied i was at work and could have given you the part number. this repley i am at home. but i recollect the gm part number being 10467353 for a v8.....expect to pay about fifty to sixty from a delco suplier if you are lucky.

 

Thanks for that part info, and it looks like I'll be out some money when it's all over with. Maybe I should just drop in that MSD distributor I've been drooling over , but the wife might kill me!!!!