dist. rotor ?

[rod]

I just got a new cap & rotor from MSD. the rotor is the old Chevy point type. it has the short 'E' brass tip. which has close to 1/8" gap between the tip and the cap terminal. I know GM used this 'E' rotor for emission engines [thus the E]. doesnt the large gap make it harder on the coil? what is the real purpose of the larger gap?
before I set about modifying the new one, I want to why I shouldnt!
thanks Rod in AZ

[Jeff Stout]

Rod, my understanding having a large cap it helps to not get a miss fire. On the small cap an Arc could jump to either terminal next to the one to be fired. When running on motor and turning on nitrous timing is retarded. With the large cap you can do it safely and not misfire. That's bad on nitrous if it misfires.

[doug schriener]

Originally Posted by rod

I just got a new cap & rotor from MSD. the rotor is the old Chevy point type. it has the short 'E' brass tip. which has close to 1/8" gap between the tip and the cap terminal. I know GM used this 'E' rotor for emission engines [thus the E]. doesnt the large gap make it harder on the coil? what is the real purpose of the larger gap?
before I set about modifying the new one, I want to why I shouldnt!
thanks Rod in AZ

Rod-We ran that setup on the 85551 billet distributor on my drag car and our IMCA stock cars with zero problems. Doug Schriener

[Henrys Toy]

Originally Posted by rod

I just got a new cap & rotor from MSD. the rotor is the old Chevy point type. it has the short 'E' brass tip. which has close to 1/8" gap between the tip and the cap terminal. I know GM used this 'E' rotor for emission engines [thus the E]. doesnt the large gap make it harder on the coil? what is the real purpose of the larger gap?
before I set about modifying the new one, I want to why I shouldnt!
thanks Rod in AZ

With todays ignition coils in a drag car the wide gap is no problem and does help ever so slightly. I've been using that exact set up in my stocker for more then 30 years with a MSD 7al2 without any ignition or coil issues. After 2 or 3 seasons I change it probably out of guilt that I wouldn't want to lose a round of racing over a $5.00 part.