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L-series distributors are nearly the same as A-series but uses a spacer/riser to mount to the engine (the pedestal). J-series is like the L-series in using a slotted tang drive, but uses a thin pedestal. It is more like the A-series in that the shaft has no tang, but the tang is in the drive-end.
Contents |
Overview
Differences from A-series:
- Require a "pedestal" or "base" (Distributor Support) that bolts to the engine, and the distributor is inserted into
- Clocked differently (timing plate tab is at a different position on the otherwise-identical distributor body)
- Has a tang-drive shaft (A-series has a plain shaft with gear fitted)
Because the L-series uses an offset-slotted drive, it can be fitted in only one position. This makes getting the correct pedestal and timing plate very important. It is possible to remove and "re-index" the driveshaft inside the engine, but not recommened.
Types
L-series early points: D4n small cap L-series late points: D4A large cap L-series early EI: D4F remote ignitor type L-series late EFI: D4K matchbox type Z-series 4-plug: D4K matchbox type Z-series 8-plug: D4N
Support
The distributor support or base is sometimes called the "pedestal".
SUPPORT-DISTRIBUTOR
L-Series
Because the L-series uses an offset-slotted drive, it can be fitted in only one position. This makes getting the correct pedestal and timing plate very important. It is possible to remove and "re-index" the drive shaft inside the engine, but is not recommended because it will make future adjustments or repairs non-standard. The next mechanic may think the engine is put together incorrectly.
It seems the pedestal must match the distributor type, and not the engine? In other words, L16/L18/L20B use the same pedestal when using a Matchbox distributor, but a different pedestal for a points distributor. The pedestals are clocked differently, and the fixing bolt is in a different location.
NOTE: There are 2 versions of the Matchbox distributor. If wrong pedestal is used the rotor will point in between the number 1 and 3 plug wires at TDC.
IMPORTANT: The timing plate should match the pedestal. There are three or four different plates for L-series engines. If you don't have the right one, you can #modify the plate.
Here's what the plates look like for the original distributors. When swapping distributors you may need a different plate for the same engine.
22178-21000 D40/D41 small cap distributors (4-cyl & 6-cyl) L13/L14/L16/L18/L24 points-type
22178-U6000 large cap D4A/D6A, D4F/D6F, D4K/D6K some matchbox
with or without extra tab
22178-S6700 some matchbox
Z-series
Z18/Z20/Z22 22178-W7001 8-plug USA/JDM 4-plug USA 22178-W3800 4-plug JDM
Z24 uses no pedestal, only a unique timing plate:
Z24I - no support used * WD21 * GC22 * 720
North America
A10 22178-U6000 L20B -0678 D4F remote ignitor 22178-S6700 L20B 0778- D4K matchbox 22178-W7001 Z20S fed 4-plug (uses boomerang plate)
510 22178-21000
521 22178-21000 L16
610 22178-21000 1973 L16/L18 [matching timing plate is L16] 22178-U6000 1974- L20B [matching timing plate is like A14]
620 22178-21000 1972 L16 22178-U6000 1974- L18/L20B
710 22178-U6000 L18/L20B
720 22178-S6700 L20B 22178-W7001 Z20/Z22/Z24 810 22178-U6000 L24E
910 22178-S6700 L24E
S10 22178-U6000 L20B D4A/D4F/D4K
S30 22178-21000 L24 22178-U6000 L26/L28E
S110 22178-W7001 Z20E/Z22E * 4-plug Z20E FED ell plate * 8-plug Z20E CAL wiggly plate * 8-plug Z22E
S130 22178-S6700 L28E * L28ET uses no support
Application
22178-U6000 L-series * A10 L20B -0678 D4F * 610 L20B * 620 L18/L20B D4A/D4F/D4K * 710 L18/L20B * 810 L24E * S10 L20B D4A/D4F/D4K * S30 L26/L28E D6F/D6K
22178-S6700 L-series * A10 L20B 0778- D4K * 720 L20B * 910 L24E * S130 L28E (L28ET uses no support)
22178-W7001 Z-series * 720 Z20/Z22/Z24 * S110 Z20E/Z22E * A10 Z20S fed 4-plug
Japan
NOTE: Some L20 use a no-support type distributor.
JAPAN 720 22178-21000 L18 points 22178-W3800 Z16/Z18 points 4-plug
C31 22178-S6700 L20S/L20ET D4K matchbox FAT 22178-U6000 L20S/L20E/L28E ? 22178-W7001 Z18S/Z18P/Z20S 8-PLUG
F30 22178-U6000 L20E/L28E (some use Z24I style distributor) 22178-W7001 Z18S 8-PLUG points/EI
R30 22178-W3800 Z18S 4-plug points triangular 22178-W7001 Z20E/Z18S 8-PLUG points
910 22178-21000 L16S D4n 22178-W3800 Z16S 22178-W7001 Z16S/Z18S/Z18P/Z18E/Z18ET/Z20S/Z20E 8-PLUG
Application
22178-21000 L-series points * 720 L18 * 910 L16S
22178-W3800 4-PLUG * E24 Z20 * D21 Z16S/Z18S/Z20S * TC22 Z20S * W40 Z22S * 720 Z16/Z18 * 910 Z16S * E23 Z18/Z20 * F22 Z16/Z20 * H40 Z20S/Z20D (Atlas cabover) * R30 Z18S
22178-S6700 matchbox FAT * C31 L20S/L20ET
22178-U6000 * C31 L20S/L20E/L28E * F30 L20E/L28E
22178-W7001 Z-series * E24/WE24/910/C120/C31/E23/F30/R30/S110
Mismatches
It is tricky to make the wrong plate work.
https://ratsun.net/topic/49183-72-510-going-to-ei-distributor
http://nwde.ratsun.net/nwde/archive/3103.htm
http://community.ratsun.net/topic/44014-wrong-distributor-adjustment-plate
Here are two L16 plates on top of each other. They differ by 5mm, to match the bolt hole on the later distributor
If you don't have the right plate, you can slot it with a hacksaw to make it fit the newer distributor, then rearrange the plug wires to suit
Fixing Plate
Timing plate
Early L16 small-cap points distributor (Hitachi D40/D41 type) 22180-21000
These are plate for original-application use. When swapping distributors, you may need to use a 6-cylinder plate on a 4-cylinder, depending on which of the four distributor types you have