DISTRIBUTOR: Describes a unit in the ignition system designed to complete the primary ignition circuit and to distribute the voltage generated to the correct cylinder according to a pre-determined sequence.
BREAKER ARM: Describes the movable part of a pair of contact points in a distributor or magneto.
BREAKER PLATE: Describes the movable plate inside the distributor to which the points and the condenser are attached.
BREAKER POINTS: Describes a mechanical switch in the distributor with two metal contact points (usually made of silver, platinum, or tungsten) that open and close. When the points are closed, energy is stored in the primary windings of the coil.
CENTRE TERMINAL: Describes a high-tension distributor has a rotor that spins around a centre post and transfers electrical energy to each of the surrounding terminals located in the distributor cap.
CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE: Describes a device found on the distributor which, through the action of centrifugal force on two weights, advances or retards the ignition spark to correspond with changes in engine speed and load.
CONDENSER: Describes a small metal cylinder usually located in the distributor, between the breaker points and coil to prevent arcing at the breaker points by absorbing or storing the excess current.
DISTRIBUTOR BASEPLATE: Describes a fixed plate set on the distributor's body where the contact breaker is mounted, with the distributor shaft passing through the centre.
DISTRIBUTOR BODY: Describes the part containing the distributor shaft with the rotor arm at its top end, as well as the centrifugal advance mechanism and the contact breaker
DISTRIBUTOR CAM: Describes the unit placed at the top of the distributor shaft with as many lobes as cylinders.
DISTRIBUTOR CAP: Describes the insulated cover containing a central terminal or tower with a series (one per cylinder) of terminals or towers that are evenly spaced in a circular pattern around the central terminal or tower, the secondary voltage travels to the central terminal or tower where it is then channelled to one of the outer terminals or towers by the rotor. The cap also keeps dirt and moisture out of the distributor.
DISTRIBUTOR INJECTION PUMP: Describes a type of fuel injection pump driven by pistons that pressurise fuel to allow injection in the proper cylinder in the hydraulic head.
DISTRIBUTOR PIPE: Describes the narrow pipe through which the fuel travels from the fuel distributor to the injection nozzle.
DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR: Describes the distributor's rotating part, which transfers high voltage to each spark plug. Also known as a "rotor" or "rotor arm."
DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT: Describes the metal shaft situated inside the distributor with a cam wheel that revolves with the shaft and forces the points to open.
DISTRIBUTOR TOWER: Describes the terminals at the top of the distributor cap into which the spark plugs wires fit.
DISTRIBUTOR WEIGHT: Describes one of two flat pieces of metal found inside the distributor's centrifugal advance mechanism on the baseplate that protrudes as speed increases and advancing the spark timing.
OUTER TERMINAL: Describes the electrode situated on the distributor cap inside, with one external terminal being assigned to each spark plug. In contrast, the distributor rotor distributes the firing voltage from the central electrode to the outer terminals.
OUTER TOWER: Describes a socket on the distributor cap corresponding to the external terminal at the rate of one per cylinder whose role is to connect the spark plug leads.
SHORT-TYPE DISTRIBUTOR: Describes a form of distributor that has not been fitted with a drive shaft. The drive coupling is located directly at the base of the ignition distributor housing.
TERMINAL TOWER: Describes the terminals at the top of the distributor cap to which the spark plug wires are fitted.
VACUUM ADVANCE: Describes a type of mechanism attached to a distributor's side that automatically varies the instant at which the spark occurs in an intake manifold vacuum.
AE4