<P> A distributor consists of a rotating arm or rotor inside the distributor cap , on top of the distributor shaft , but insulated from it and the body of the vehicle ( ground ) . The distributor shaft is driven by a gear on the camshaft on most overhead valve engines , and attached directly to a camshaft on most overhead cam engines . ( The distributor shaft may also drive the oil pump . ) The metal part of the rotor contacts the high voltage cable from the ignition coil via a spring - loaded carbon brush on the underside of the distributor cap . The metal part of the rotor arm passes close to ( but does not touch ) the output contacts which connect via high tension leads to the spark plug of each cylinder . As the rotor spins within the distributor , electric current is able to jump the small gaps created between the rotor arm and the contacts due to the high voltage created by the ignition coil . </P>
<P> A distributor consists of a rotating arm or rotor inside the distributor cap , on top of the distributor shaft , but insulated from it and the body of the vehicle ( ground ) . The distributor shaft is driven by a gear on the camshaft on most overhead valve engines , and attached directly to a camshaft on most overhead cam engines . ( The distributor shaft may also drive the oil pump . ) The metal part of the rotor contacts the high voltage cable from the ignition coil via a spring - loaded carbon brush on the underside of the distributor cap . The metal part of the rotor arm passes close to ( but does not touch ) the output contacts which connect via high tension leads to the spark plug of each cylinder . As the rotor spins within the distributor , electric current is able to jump the small gaps created between the rotor arm and the contacts due to the high voltage created by the ignition coil . </P>
where does the distributor get its power from
where does the distributor get its power from
a gear on the camshaft on most overhead valve engines , and attached directly to a camshaft on most overhead cam engines
a gear on the camshaft on most overhead valve engines , and attached directly to a camshaft on most overhead cam engines