Re-attaching the Distributor Connection cover

[TomoHawk]

Higuys,

The cover for my distributor (it's a 1978 L28E, and the junction is on the left side near the radiator support) has come off at the hinge point, and I have not thought of a good way to re-attach it, yet.

FYI, the cover is plastic, and has a clamshell design, and contains two studs where the distributor harness connects to the engine bay harness. After an engine repair, the top cover fell off.

So far I thought of using strips of rubber, Velcro, and aluminum from a soda can, using GOOP to attach it to the bottom shell.

Any ideas?

eBay has no auctions for the correct part, so replacing it is not appropriate.

Edited June 10, 2014 by TomoHawk

[siteunseen]

You're talking about the red and green wire connector, right? I'd loosen the 2 screws enough to slide a black zip-tie under it until you can find one at a junkyard.

[TomoHawk]

That i the correct part. Did any other vehicle use something like it; especially a modern one? There are no Zeds in junkyards for 1,200 miles

[TomoHawk]

It seems there are two types of the distribution junction shell.

This first type is somewhat rectangular, and the top is simply attached with screws. These are only available from Mr. reddat...

the second, like I have, is a pentagonal shape, and the top is hinged and snaps on.

[siteunseen]

When I put a ZX distributor in my '77 it did away with that junction with the snap down top, so no a newer ZX won't have it. I have access to a few 280s at a junkyard but I'd rather go to the dentists as a junkyard in the summertime but I've had some good Z luck lately and don't want to mess that up, so maybe I'll give you mine and replace it with one from the JY when I go back. I'll let you know in the morning. It's the same as Blue's in your second picture.

[TomoHawk]

The earlier ones had three studs inside. I wonder what it was for?

[siteunseen]

I tried taking mine off and it leaves red and green wires exposed as well as the bracket and two threaded holes, not to happy with it like that and I may take the ZX dizzy out to put in my other 240. It does way better than the points type they have, not so much on the 280. If it's not raining this Saturday I'll go to the JY and get you one. I need to find a injector fan switch for Andrew aka Zcurves too. I'm wearing long pants and shirt soaked in Deet. I'll send you a PM for your address if I'm holding one.

That 3rd wire is probably for the temp sender on the earlier ones.

Edited June 11, 2014 by siteunseen

[Zed Head]

The third wire is for the second pickup in the distributor. There's a whole separate circuit in the ignition module to advance the timing when cold. Lots of engineering and work for a small thing that they got rid of later.

I just realized that I could have used those wires and junction box for my injector cooling fan and my coolant circuit potentiometer. Three wires in the harness, running from the engine bay to the cabin. Pretty handy.