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 Distributor counter weight springs
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green96v4
V4 Mad

Canada
737 Posts

Posted - 19 Feb 2017 :  14:38:06 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Need some help

I have 2 different types of Distributor, earlier 0 231 146 092 and the later (refurbished) 0 231 170 031. I'm planning to put the later one back in the car as I've had the casing polished and the bushing refurbished (those of you we good memories will recall a video I took of this dizzy in the car with tons of play in the shaft)




When I sent 031 away to have the new bushing added, the guy that did the work misplaced one of the counter weight springs, as I have 2 older dizzys spare I wasn't concerned at the time, however now I have everything back and I've taken apart the older dizzy (092) I've noticed the earlier one has 2 different springs (and in fairness a completely different counter weight design).



Referring to the SAAB Manual doesn't clarify anything as, whilst they list springs with different part numbers, they doesn't seem to be any direct correlation to either of my dizzy numbers





I've added the lighter weight spring back in transferred over from the older dizzy, but I'm not sure if this is correct, IIRC, the later design had 2 springs that were the same design (but my memory isn't what it used to be...!) I'm thinking both springs should be the heavier ones (as per the top spring in the image below)



Does anyone have the later dizzy in pieces that they could take a quick look?

Does having the different springs in it make any difference or should they be the same as per my fading memory?

Thanks in advance!!

Derek
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2187 Posts

Posted - 19 Feb 2017 :  15:39:41 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Having a light and heavy spring is normal. When increasing the revs from idle, the light spring allows the ignition to advance fairly quickly up to about 2k rpm. The heavy spring then controls the gradual advance up to the designed max. There are a lot of different springs and are selected to give the best advance curve for each application.
You might get some help here http://www.glenn-ring.com/bosch/
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 20 Feb 2017 :  20:49:47 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Changing springs, weights and base plates (end stops differ) from stock will alter the advance curve. Find someone with a Sun distributor tester if you want to be sure what you've achieved... Dizzy specifications are a bit of a minefield and there is very little information available from Bosch or Ford/ Saab. Jack Ashcraft seems to be a dizzy specialist: http://saabjournal.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/saab-v4-distributors-review.html

I've made a spreadsheet with part numbers for all dizzies I've taken apart, but of course springs don't have a visible part number so I can't help you there. I have two 031s at hand, can see if I can take one apart next weekend if you can wait?

This is a good book about about distributor ignition systems: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Build-Distributor-type-Ignition-Systems-Speedpro/dp/1845841867

www.saabv4.com

Edited by - melle on 21 Feb 2017 12:36:56
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green96v4
V4 Mad

Canada
737 Posts

Posted - 21 Feb 2017 :  11:47:30 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks Melle, I can wait - much appreciated!

I'm now thinking I'm either going to have to put this back into the car and see what happens or bite the bullet and have someone test/rebalance it
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alanlondon
Starting Member

2 Posts

Posted - 05 Jan 2018 :  22:48:16 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hello Melle,

Did you upload the spreadsheet to the forum at all?

I have 3 new distributors which I am told fit the Saab V4 but am unable to match the part numbers to any vehicle. Strangely, the dizzies are made in Germany, have Bosch part numbers but have a Ford logo. Some numbers on the dizzie nearly match the Ford Pinto so I am somewhat at a loss.

However they do look very similar to the ones in this thread and, here: http://saabjournal.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/it-all-comes-together-above-seven.html

Any help from your spreadsheet would be appreciated.
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 06 Jan 2018 :  20:54:25 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Never uploaded the spreadsheet. What are the part numbers of your dizzies?

www.saabv4.com
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alanlondon
Starting Member

2 Posts

Posted - 07 Jan 2018 :  12:45:02 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi melle,

As mentioned these are branded "Ford" and some numbers seem to correspond to a Pinto engine. I have 2/3 numbers:

73 HF 12100-AA
0 231 170 018

Also marked JFU 4

On the "stem", "Germany" and below, just above the gear is marked "76" and 030.

Any help appreciated.

Alan

Sarf London
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 07 Jan 2018 :  20:27:24 Show Profile Reply with Quote
The part number doesn't ring a bell here. Cologne V4 dizzies are very similar to Pinto ones (I image the internals are identical), but have a longer stem, so out with the tape measure. As far as I know, in those days Ford always used Bosch distributors (often (also) branded as Ford) for their metric engines.

Do you have a Saab or are you perhaps a "Sarf London Style" Ford guy?



www.saabv4.com
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