I’m going to be freshening up my distributor for my 1950 Cadillac, and I think because of bad weather stripping and other leaks, when it rains heavy, moisture might be getting on the distributor. Is there something I can spray on it that will help repell moisture or would just a healthy dose of die…

Replace the cap/rotor. It’ll come with a gasket that will seal the distributor again.

Depending on vintage, does your cap have a little port in it through which the points can be adjusted with a dwell meter? I have never seen a gasket under a distributor cap, especially in 1950…Distributors are usually located in a dry spot…There is a CHANCE that a newer HEI ignition (1975-1985) mod…

I wouldn’t worry about it, just make sure you have all new parts, and when you take it out drive it long enough for the engine to get thoroughly warmed up. Cars with distributors and points handled wet weather just fine, even though engine compartments are not sealed against rain and road spray. A…

I don’t remember a gasket either but I might suggest changing the plug wires at the same time. I know I sprayed some kind of clear sealer (maybe silicone) over the cap and wires but never really had a weather issue anyway.

Moisture can get inside of the distributor cap no matter how tightly it has been sealed. The key factor is the dew point in the atmosphere. Spray it down regularly with WD-40; especially at times of the year when it’s very humid or cold and damp.

Thanks guys. I’ve got new wires, rotor, cap, points, condenser, coil, and plugs coming.

Good. Moisture-related ignition problems can sometimes be caused by dirt and deposits on old cap, rotor, and wires.

The WD in WD40 stands for water displacement.

Unexplained moisture inside a distributor can sometimes be crankcase vapor getting past the distributor shaft seal…

D’oh. You guys are right about the gasket - I was thinking a few too many years in the future :wink:

Distributor Moisture Repellent?

Maintenance/Repairs

Fender1325 July 2, 2014, 11:15pm 13

Good to know thanks. This is my first old-school car so I’m going through the learning curve. But man, I love these old things, watching them come back to life.

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Distributor Moisture Repellent?

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