<VV> BLACK DIST CAPS REVISITED

[Michael Kovacs]

Carbon tracking! When I was in the USAF, and even afterward when I got my degree in aircraft maintenance, carbon tracking could occur inside or outside a distributor or magneto. It was caused by fine carbon particles clinging to the surface and allowing high voltage to jump from post to ground, or from post to post. 

 A cracked distributor could also leave a path for the high voltage to follow in a dirty crack (path). All the other things Tim mentioned also can lead to electrical misdirection and poor performance.
 MIKE KOVACS 



----- Original Message ----
From: "N2VZD at aol.com" <N2VZD at aol.com>
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Sent: Sat, April 3, 2010 10:46:55 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> BLACK DIST CAPS REVISITED

i am not a chemist , but those black caps PROBABLY did not have carbon or  
conducting materials in them, kinda like bakelite used on high voltage 
panels  and insulators on electronic equipment since way back..(including coil 
towers).  the next best stuff was ceramic and teflon. once the stuff breaks 
down due to  moisture , that track WILL measure with an ohm meter. sometimes , 
when  conditions are right , there is a mini thunderstorm inside your 
distributor. too  large a plug gap , weak wires , a loose plug wire with a gap , 
will cause the l  voltage to build up enough to wreak havoc in the strangest 
ways, not unlike  lightning. 
i can find out the real composition from guys who know for sure later in  
the week , if this thread hangs on like most...
regards, tim colson