does the dizzy button touch the rotor?

[Texas1971]

The carbon rotor button in a HEI distributor cap. Is it in firm contact with the rotor center or does the spark "jump"? I ask because depending on how you assemble the cap button spring/wire and rubber washer to the bottom of the coil changes how far the button sticks into the cap. Problem is engine won't spark.

[JHART]

It shouldnt touch ... the spark or "Arch" jumps from the rotor contact to the plug wire contact.

[sjarrett71]

I believe the button does touch the center of the rotor, that's why there is a circular wear pattern on both parts after they have been used.

[Texas1971]

Yep, I agree that there is a quick jump from each tower as the rotor passes. But, I was wondering about the center of the cap "nub" to the center of the rotor. Thanks!

[RACINJASON22]

Center touches rotor button, outer indavidal posts "jump"

[JHART]

Originally Posted by Texas1971

Yep, I agree that there is a quick jump from each tower as the rotor passes. But, I was wondering about the center of the cap "nub" to the center of the rotor. Thanks!

Yea your right ...sorry i need to read closer next time. The center button on the rotor does contact.

[piecesparts]

The button SHOULD touch the pring loaded rotor. The arc jumping is the way some systems end ou running after parts have failed. Make sure that the button is put in right

[Texas1971]

You are right - the key is putting it in right. Washer first is a long button, but only the tiny wire spring touches the coil. If you put the button through the washer then out into the cap, you get more metal contact to the coil but it doesn't poke out far enough to touch. HOW many v should the coil put out to the rotor when you put 12v to it. STILL can't get engine to spark.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Texas1971

You are right - the key is putting it in right. Washer first is a long button, but only the tiny wire spring touches the coil. If you put the button through the washer then out into the cap, you get more metal contact to the coil but it doesn't poke out far enough to touch. HOW many v should the coil put out to the rotor when you put 12v to it. STILL can't get engine to spark.

Some coils are rated at about 30,000 volts and others go up to 60,000 volts. As for your spark issue, I am betting one of two items is shot. The ignition module or the pickup coil. The module is the black thing at the bottom of your dizzy housing and it is easy to change, but make sure you get some die-electric grease to coat the bottom of it. That way it won't arc across to the baseplate. The second thing that it could be is the pick-up coil that is in the very bottom of the dizzy housing and it has to have the whole distributor taken apart and the shaft pulled out of it to change it out.