with a non-waterproof or civilian type distributor.Figure 3. Two components vital to the operation of a mechanical
breaker point distributor are the points themselves and the
condenser (also sometimes called a capacitor). The points must set
and checked occasionally as to how far they open when the cam
lobes come up on the rubbing block. The point contacts must be
checked for erosion or burning, and the rubbing block must be
checked for wear. Rapid burning or erosion of the point contacts is
open caused by a failed condenser or the wrong type of condenser.A basic mechanical breaker point ignition system is shown in Figure
1 . Although it’s a non-waterproof type, as would be found on most
WWII-vintage MVs, it’s essentially the same system as used on most
common collector M-series military vehicles. However, most M-series
waterproof systems have the ignition coil inside the distributor instead
of located elsewhere on the engine. An M-series waterproof distributor
with its top removed is shown in Figure 2. A close-up view of breaker
points, along with a condenser, is shown in Figure 3, while a typical
ignition coil is shown in Figure 4.
What makes the spark plugs spark, which ignites the fuel and air mix
delivered by the carburetor to the cylinders, which makes the engine
run? Most of the magic happens inside the distributor. The distributor
has several functions. First, it opens and closes those all-important
breaker points that load and fire the ignition coil. Secondly, it does this
at the right time so that each high voltage impulse from the coil happens
when it should. Third, it distributes these high-voltage impulses to each