FSI Distributor

[Smitty]

I have an FSI distributor (not zipper).
I have noticed there is no locking pin for the head as on an original Model A distributor. Will the set screw on the side of the head be enough to secure the distributor or would there be the possibility of movement thus changing the timing?

Thanks, Steve

[SeaSlugs]

i would think so, modern cars with a distributor just have a single bolt and 2 fork prongs holding them down. I wouldnt go bonkers with tightening it as id imagine with the stock distributor you can distort the housing enough to wear the shaft bushings egg shaped.

[Smitty]

Yeah, and I know that it is not good to over-tighten that set screw...

[JohnLaVoy]

Yes, we use one of those for years.

[tbirdtbird]

you will be fine. Do not over tighten, you'll strip the threads in the head

[SeaSlugs]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

if your truly paranoid about it you could just touch the distributor body with a drill bit so the set screw has a "pit" to sit in so even if its not super tight it still cant rotate much.

[tbirdtbird]

then you won't be able to time the dizzy properly
there is no pin for a reason

[Synchro909]

I hold the dizzy in place with that screw - have done for years. I use it to "fine tune" the timing. If I can induce the engine to ping, I retard the timing a smidge (technical term) by loosening the screw and turning the distributor body a little and retighten the screw (and lock nut).

[1929]

I was worried about that also because this car almost vibrates like a Harley, so I marked the spot with a touch of white- out.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by 1929

I was worried about that also because this car almost vibrates like a Harley, so I marked the spot with a touch of white- out.

Might shake the white out off the engine?

[1929]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

Might shake the white out off the engine?

surprisingly, its still there after more then a month.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

As a side note: When I put a Weber & a single point Mallory on Minerva, she ran best @ 7 1/2 degrees BTDC! She would idle like a stocker in parades & NEVER kick back, when starting---MAGIC???
Bill Fiddling

[Roadster Rich]

I have had one of these on my car for over 10 years. About two years ago I found both that I was slightly overheating and when starting, it was hard to crank by the compression stroke. All pointed to changed timing and I had to reposition and retighten. All solved. Maybe I did not tighten enough, but like some comments above, I was concerned that it might bind up the shaft in the bushing.

[tbirdtbird]

Once you get it timed to your liking, put a mark on the dizzy to show where it should be. Then later if any question, you need only look at the mark

[Fillinjc]

I am in process of installing a FSI Zipper. The spring armored cable housing running to the terminal box seemed a tad long which put a twisting pressure on the distributor housing. I actually moved the distributor from the locked down position by trying to place the cable end. I cut about an inch off the spring and now the distributor sits parallel to the engine more naturally before snugging the screw.

Jerry

[bnchief]

Make sure you have a dedicated ground to the battery.