Breaker contacts — adjustment of the gap and angle of the closed state of the contacts (Opel Ascona C)

1. Release the clamps of the distributor cap moisture protection casing (if any) and take it off (see photo).



2. Release the distributor cap clamps and remove it.

3. Wipe the lid inside and out with a dry cloth. Clean off any deposits from the 4 electrodes and inspect the cover for cracks or damage. Inspect the "coal" in the center of the lid. It should protrude by about 6 mm. Replace the cover if it is cracked or if the high voltage electrodes are corroded, worn or cracked (see photo).



(Material taken from an internet portal opelbook)

4. Remove the runner and wipe its end clean.





5. Remove the plastic plate that covers the contact breaker, protecting it from condensation. There is no need to remove the support plate (see photo).



6. Carefully move the breaker contacts apart and inspect their surfaces. If they become uneven, pitted or dirty, they will need to be replaced.

7. If the contacts are in good condition or after installing new contacts, measure the gap between them by turning the engine so that the breaker lever is at the top point of one of the 4 circuits of the breaker cam (the required thickness gauge probe size see. in the Specifications). Be careful not to get the contact surfaces oily (see photo).





8. If the gap between the contacts is too large or small, loosen the breaker mounting screw. Move the fixed contact to obtain the required gap and fix it in this position by tightening the set screw on the breaker support plate.

9. Check the clearance again to ensure that it has not been adjusted when tightening the set screw.

10. Install the plastic plate, runner and distributor cap with its moisture-proof cover in place.

11. On modern engines, the setting of the breaker contact gap using a thickness gauge should be considered as a basic one. To ensure optimum engine performance, it is also necessary to adjust the contact closing angle, which is the angle in degrees that the breaker cam rotates between the moment the contacts close and the moment they open. Correct setting of the angle of the closed state of the contacts allows not only to achieve more precise adjustment of their gap, but also to compensate for changes in the gap that can be caused by wear of the distributor shaft and its bushings or the difference in the height of the breaker cam protrusions.

12. The angle of the closed state of the contacts is measured using a special device, connected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The correct angle of the closed state of the contacts is specified in the Specifications. If the angle is too large, the gap between the contacts should be increased; if it is too small, it should be decreased.

13. Before adjusting the ignition timing, always check and adjust the angle of the closed state of the contacts.