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MG TD TF 1500 - New Distibutor Caps from Moss

Has anyone else received a new distributor cap from Moss's first run? It comes with a letter explaining they contain a cosmetic flaw. There are cracks inside the cap at the internal HT leads.

They said they tested a few for 200 miles.

I took it to work today and looked at the crack under a scope... The crack seems to propagate from the mold parting line, not just a cosmetic crack. One the outside of the cap there is no evidence of crack formation. The exact cause looks like the core pin was too small for the brass conductor, or the conductor wasn't hot enough to insert and displace plastic material or the brass conductor is oversize.

I sent some pictures to Bud to place on the ttalk website to show what I am refering to, hopefully they will make it up this weekend.

So, what's the point? Well it's to show what the crack looks like, it's almost impossible to see without a scope and to let people know why a new dizzy cap might fail prematurely. It's too soon to tell if 200 miles in a desert is enough to deem the caps good, or will the folks up in Washington be stranded in the rain.

Blair
Blair Weiss

I also got one of the new distributor caps, and would not have noticed the cracks unless I had received the letter from Moss along with the cap.

I don't think that these cracks will cause any problems if they don't get any bigger. That's a pretty big if, since this part is subject to lots of thermal and maybe a little mechanical stress. But this material is much stronger than the original bakelite, and it just might be OK. I agree that Moss's testing program seems to be lacking here. I don't plan to return it, though, since at the current time, there aren't any other suppliers.

Cosmetically, it's also different than the bakelite cap, since it's a very glossy black, but that's a minor quibble. I guess I'll end up being a beta tester for Moss's products. It looks like they are taking up the Microsoft business model.
Mark B.

Distributing defective goods is a 'Business Model'?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Dear Gord,

What else can you can all MicroSoft products? It does wonders for Bill Gates.

John
John Redman

Blair's images can be seen at www.ttalk.info/headsup.htm, or you can find the link at the bottom of the home page, http://www.talk.info/ where you can click on HeadsUp. The site is still in its infancy, but it's coming. Bud Krueger
Bud Krueger

Whoops! did it again, that's http://www.Ttalk.info/
Bud Krueger

I hate to "bite the hand that feeds us" ...
but I went through this a few years ago.
Purchased 2 dizzy caps & wiring kits in less than 1000 miles. Caps cracked/failed & the wire was ...well to put it nicely ....crap!
IMHO not really Moss fault they have to "outsource" to keep all they do avlb for us...but sometimes the quality just isn't there. At least they warn you so you can carry a spare!
A friend that was helping me has a farm-all tractor he mows with and we noticed it had what looked like the same dizzy. Sure enough went to Tri-County farm supply and found the same Lucas part # for $9.95 (better quality though) and made another set of plug wires using some Lucas "Bumble-bee" stock from an ebay auction. Nearly 5000 miles on this with no problems now.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

David,
What is the Lucas part #? Lots of tractor stores here in Idaho!
Robert Dougherty

Was afraid somebody would ask that...have to see if I still have the box. I just walked in with my dizzy ...but pretty sure it was a deveation of the Moss #. If it is on the cap...may take a while ...my engine is in pieces right now at a shop north of here!
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Thanks Dave! If the cap was from our dizzy...maybe the rotor also?
I just received a rotor from TRF for the B that was pure garbage...loose metal, chipped plastic...sad as I usually receive quality parts from them. I understand that our parts suppliers are at the mercy of their suppliers; however, I for one would rather Moss (or TRF, VB, Abingdon Spares etc.)Send back such garbage, rather than pass them on to us with a note! I don't want a part that is cracked, with a note saying "this should work"! Rather a note from Moss that states, "Due to inferior supplies, the stock of Distributor Caps is limited to what is presently on hand as we search for a vendor that can provide suitable parts, your patience is appreciated". I'll pay 3x the cost if I'm sure of a Lucas or Bosch part. Tell me up front that this is an aftermarket part...I'll go elsewhere. FWIW
Robert Dougherty

Robert,
They had everything rotor, points, condenser. I went to a pertronix unit...so the rest of this I just keep in the boot as spares...just in case.
Hopeing to get TF back soon...freshly rebuilt, balanced & blueprinted....can't wait...but if you haven't found by then I will check for part numbers. Best way is just walk in with yours though. (Wear yer'
overalls & no "MG" hat!)
Cheers,
David
David Sheward

This thread was discussed between 25/02/2005 and 28/02/2005

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