I just changed my spark plugs and cleaned up the contacts in my distributors on my crusader 350 (454c.i.) engines, 1985 vintage. My distributors are Mallory Breakerless 9-26306. On my stbd engine I noticed something strange. Below the ignition module ( looks a bit like a points and condenser breaker plate to me) there was something that is quite rusted. Also resting on top of the breaker plate was what looks like the top of a torx head button machine screw. But just the top portion. It looks like that torx button head has been sitting on the ignition module for some time because of the rust stain on the plate when I removed the tiny torx head.
I've also shown a picture of the port distributor that doesn't have anything showing below the ignition module. However I got my endoscope in there and you can see the same button head off to the side. it is also rusted and sitting on something but I can't tell if it is the same thing that is rusted on the stbd distributor. I didn't want to start probing around in there to see if anything moved. Other than removing that torx socket button head with a pair of tweezers. The one picture shows it's size compared to the eraser on a mechanical pencil.
So if everything is correct on the port distributor, how on earth did that torx button head get from it's position below the ignition module and tucked off to one side as shown in the one endoscope picture, out and up on top of the ignition module plate? I've looked at it under a magnifying glass and the bottom side of it doesn't appear to have been broken off. Whatever that part is, it doesn't seem to be effecting the performance of the distributor on the stbd engine.
I'm used to points and condensers so I'm a bit of a fish out of water. Can I take that breaker plate off to get a better look? If so when putting it back on is it critical that it be positioned exactly where it is now? Any ideas as to what I'm looking at?
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I've also shown a picture of the port distributor that doesn't have anything showing below the ignition module. However I got my endoscope in there and you can see the same button head off to the side. it is also rusted and sitting on something but I can't tell if it is the same thing that is rusted on the stbd distributor. I didn't want to start probing around in there to see if anything moved. Other than removing that torx socket button head with a pair of tweezers. The one picture shows it's size compared to the eraser on a mechanical pencil.
So if everything is correct on the port distributor, how on earth did that torx button head get from it's position below the ignition module and tucked off to one side as shown in the one endoscope picture, out and up on top of the ignition module plate? I've looked at it under a magnifying glass and the bottom side of it doesn't appear to have been broken off. Whatever that part is, it doesn't seem to be effecting the performance of the distributor on the stbd engine.
I
