Strange "short" / tick by distributor ??

[terryp]

Hello
My Elan has developed a strange problem.
I can hear a small tick that could be a short around the area of the distributor / carbs
I can't see any sparks. The car has lumenition optronic , solid ht leads, NGK plugs, all new lucas distributor cap, rotor from Sue
Has anyone any ideas?
The car is also running with a very very slight hesitation.
Thanks
Terry

[rgh0]

Is the tick random or aligned with the distributor rpm?

Could be the rotor hitting a cap terminal if the cap is not on right if at distributor rpm
Could be an insulation breakdown if occurring at random frequency - potentially in the rotor inside the cap so you would not see.

cheers
Rohan

[terryp]

Rohan
It's completely random, I tried another rotor and it was the same , so I suppose the only thing is another cap?
Thanks
Terry

[rgh0]

Yes could be the cap. I guess you keep changing components until it goes way

cheers
Rohan

[terryp]

Rohan
Changed the cap, leads , plug heads (Basically my spare set up) and still the same
Would it be anything to do with the lumention or coil?

Thanks
Terry

[robertverhey]

Headlight vacuum valve ticking?

[rgh0]

yes vacuum valve or timing chain or maybe breakdown around coil all possible

cheers
Rohan

[terryp]

Robert
I will try to listen, but that is a possibility. It would be nice of it was that!

I also think it could be the rotor slightly raised due to the lumenition plastic?

Thanks
Terry

[rgh0]

Are you using the original cut out type rotor? this does not fit with the lumenition plastic chopper blade in place

cheers
Rohan

[terryp]

Rohan
No I am using one of the new red type of rotor. I have slightly filed the bottom now so it seats right in. Coil is also lumenition.

Robert
I have listened with a cold chisel against the valve and it's not that which is clicking.

It's funny it's completely random, you may get two in quick succession and then none for a while.
It's not an external spark so I think I will drive it a bit to see what happens I suppose.

Thanks
Terry

[robertverhey]

Hmm, is an induction leak a possibility? A sharp intake of air at the carb o-ring?

[terryp]

Robert
It definitely sounds like a spark jumping somewhere, like one of those physics piece of apparatus.
Car is running better now anyway, just have the annoying click?
Thanks
Terry

[oldchieft]

In the past one things that was used to get a fatter spark to make extra gap in the king wire.

One trick was to use a button passing the wire through a hole and bending it back, so the spark has to jump across the button to wire passed through another hole.

If this was ever any use or just a myth, I don't know.

But if your engine is running better and you jumping spark in the coil lead it might just be true.

Jon the Chief

[alan.barker]

hi Terry,
are you sure it's not a cam follower. They do rotate a little and can click when in the worn position
Alan

[AHM]

Chain tension?