I just refurbished an old breaker plate and took a picture of all of the pieces laid out in the order I took them off, in proper orientation, except for the bottom spring plate bearing holder, which is upside down and opposite the way it would go back on. But it's obvious how it fits when re-assembling unlike some of the other parts.

I spent more time trying to get the circlip back in place than anything else. I'll devise some sort of jig before I try to put another one back together.

Just posting for the record for those who get disoriented while taking it apart. I always do.

Zed, were any of the parts broken like the plastic cam that the 3 ball bearings seat in? The Breaker plates are no longer available if I remember correctly. That cam I just mentioned seems to be the only thing I ever have problems with. The rebuilt dizzy's use some sort of "bushing" to take the place of the Plastic piece.

No, the plastic bearing holder was intact. That's the only reason I took the time to take it apart and clean it up. I had to pick through some old ball bearings to get three that weren't rusted. I know what you mean though, I've had a broken plate. I guess I haven't seen a newer rebuilt distributor, I haven't seen that new piece. I haven't seen that many distributors though, just a few I've picked up here and there.

Captain Obvious taught me a cool trick for orientation of parts like the breaker plates....when disassembling, put them on a string or wire through the centre and tie it off. Doing the work over a magnetic bowl to catch the ball bearings would also be wise.

Edited May 16, 201410 yr by Blue

I have a rebuilt one in my garage somewhere....will post a pic of what Im talking about so you can see it. It eliminates that plastic cam.

I stopped by Harbor Freight to see if they had any clamps that would fit the breaker plate and came away with one that worked out great, a 2 1/2" nylon spring clamp. Three required, $1.29 each. Just enough force to push the spring down and expose the slot for the circlip. Still takes a little adjustment since the bearing holder wants to get stuck in the slot too, but it's cake compared to trying without it. There may be other ways but this worked for me.

Speaking of replacing the plastic layer with some kind of bushing, this is what I did to bring my 280zx distributor back to life, a couple hardware store oil impregnated sintered bronze bushings. 2 years and the action is still great.

I had to grind a bit of one for rivet clearance, it was kind of a mess due to the oil burning off, just a note.

came here to find a picture exactly like the one posted on the first post, because I took this early 240z diz apart and didn't take a great set of photos... annnnnd it's different. I think I got it, but I wanted to be sure. I'm going to attempt to put it back together again right now. 

 

daaaaaamnit. "This shouldn't be too difficult" I said, as 3 x 0.5mm bearings fell onto the paper towel while the assembly shot apart due to the tight fit of the center bore on the spring discs... 

I think I can see how it goes back together using the indentations on the spring discs.