9.1 Remove the distributor rotor from the contact breaker.
2. With the ignition off, use a screwdriver to separate the contact plates of the breaker and visually inspect the contact surfaces for corrosion and other damage. If an arc jumps between the contacts, a metal build-up forms on the moving contact, and a depression forms on the stationary contact; in this case, the contacts must be replaced. Another method of testing the breaker contact plates is with a special test device. If necessary, crank the engine until the contacts are fully closed, then connect the meter between the distributor low voltage wiring terminal and ground and check the meter reading.
3. To remove the contacts, first unscrew the adjusting nut on the side of the distributor housing, and then unscrew the two screws securing the support plate. Lift the bracket (see illustration).
9.3 Adjusting nut of the contact plates of the breaker (A) and screws for fastening the support plate. (IN)
4. Unhook the end of the adjusting rod from the fixed contact and remove the rod with the spring from the distributor housing (see illustration).
9.4 Remove the adjusting rod with the spring.
5. Use a screwdriver to remove the small plug, then remove the mounting bracket (see illustrations).
9.5a Use a screwdriver to pry off the plastic plug...
9.5b...to gain access to the mounting bracket (marked with an arrow)...
9.5s...which can then be removed with pliers/
6. Loosen the low voltage wire clamp nut and disconnect the wire (see illustration).
9.6 Loosen the clamp nut (A) and disconnect the wire (B).
7. Remove the spring retaining clip from the top of the moving contact shaft and remove the insulating washer (see illustration).
9.7 Remove the mounting bracket and plastic washer from the pivot post.
8. Move the spring plate away from the plastic holder and lift the moving contact up from the pivot post (see illustration).
9.8 Remove the moving contact from the pivot post.
9. Loosen the mounting screw and remove the fixed contact from the support plate (see illustration).
9.9 Remove the fixed contact of the support plate.
10. The capacitor, mounted on the side of the distributor housing, is designed to extinguish the spark when the contact plates of the breaker are opened, thereby reducing wear on their surfaces and preventing a rapid drop in the magnetic field in the ignition coil. When the capacitor fails, the high voltage decreases, which ultimately leads to misfires.
11. If the engine becomes very difficult to start, or misfires occur after driving several kilometers, and the breaker contacts are excessively burnt, the first thing to check is the serviceability of the capacitor. Further testing can be done by manually opening the contacts with the ignition on. If a strong bright flash is observed, then the capacitor is faulty.
12. Without special testing equipment, the only way to test a capacitor is to replace the suspected component with a new one.
13. To remove the capacitor, unscrew the nut on the low-voltage wiring clamp and disconnect the wire. Loosen the mounting screw and remove the capacitor from the distributor housing.
14. The capacitor is installed in reverse order.
15. Install new breaker contact plates, but first clean them with methyl alcohol.
16. Install the components in the reverse order of removal, then adjust them as follows. Turn the crankshaft until the bottom of the contact breaker lever touches the protrusion of one of the four cams.
17. When the contacts are completely open, a probe with a thickness equal to the gap specified in the Specifications should be inserted between them (see illustration).
9.17 Using a feeler gauge, measure the gap between the contacts. Adjust with nut (A).
18. If the gap is too large or too small, adjust it with the nut on the side of the distributor housing using a small wrench.
19. After adjusting the contacts, install the plastic shield, runner and distributor cap. Check the ignition timing as described in Chapter 10.
20. If a breaker contact duration meter is available, perform the measurement.
21. The angle of the closed state of the breaker contacts is the angle in degrees by which the distributor shaft rotates when the breaker contact plates are closed. The advantages of installing contacts using this method are that any wear on the distributor shaft or cam working surfaces is taken into account, and the error associated with using a feeler gauge is eliminated.
22. To check and adjust the angle of the breaker contacts, connect one lead of the meter to the "+" terminal and the other to the "-" terminal of the ignition coil, or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
23. Start the engine, let it idle, and use the instrument to determine the duration of the closed state of the breaker contacts. If the cam angle does not match the specified value, adjust it using the adjusting nut on the distributor body.
24. After completing the adjustment, stop the engine and disconnect the contact duration meter.