Part of distributor rotor plastic fin broke off, still usable?

ASSISTANCE Stock Engine-Bay Components
1

When removing my aftermarket distributor rotor, which doesn’t have a distributor screw and thus is super tight, I broke off a section of the plastic “fin” of the rotor. Nothing close to the metal part, and not so bad that the structural integrity of the unit is compromised. Is it still usable? My gut tells me, although its a questionable decision, that the answer is yes.

2

rotor, as in the part that rotates at high rpm while sparking against the metal contacts in the cap…

those things are likely balanced to reduce or eliminate wobble at high rpm.
I don’t think I would chance it.

mine got loose and had a tiny bit of play, it caused idle problems and uneven wear in the distributor cap & rotor at least, possibly even inside the distributor since i have a CEL pointing to distributor now even though I’ve tightened but not replaced the cap & rotor since then. (runs great but throws a cel code)

3

Good point.

I bought a new rotor, but it is made to be held in with a rotor screw. The last owner must have replaced this distributor, because my current one has no hole for a distributor screw. I have terrible mechanics skills- do I have any option or will I have to tap in some female threads? The last rotor held up just fine with no screw…

4

That’s just weird it should have a screw hole for the the rotor, or maybe it doesn’t since you mentioned something bout being aftermarket. . . I would double check there a screw hole before tryin to source another §§§§§. . . Pics would help us help you out more too

5

[QUOTE=Baseballman;2235365]Good point.

I bought a new rotor, but it is made to be held in with a rotor screw. The last owner must have replaced this distributor, because my current one has no hole for a distributor screw. I have terrible mechanics skills- do I have any option or will I have to tap in some female threads? The last rotor held up just fine with no screw…[/QUOTE]

i dont think the screw goes into the post that the rotor slips onto, it just holds it on with pressure, and the flat part of the thing keeps it from spinning.

6

I wish that were the case, but there are no threads on the screw hole on the rotor.