Distributor

Distributor Caps

The cap of the distributor usually contains the contact points within it, and can often be rotated to adjust timing. The cap also has posts where the spark plug wires can be plugged in. The cap tends to be round, since the internal components spin within it, but sometimes it has other shapes to form to the engine or hold an ignition coil.

Distributor Rotor Button

Usually just referred to as a rotor in the context of distributors, or a distributor rotor outside context, the distributor rotor button spins inside the distributor assembly and makes contact with each point as the connected spark plug needs to fire. It typically has one metal contact, but may have a weight on the other side to improve balance or a second contact in a waste spark system.

Points

The distributor points are a contact breaker that turns power to the ignition coil (primary circuit) on and off. The points are typically on the ground side of the electrical circuit.

Sensor

Many distributor systems use a hall-effect sensor or optical sensor to determine the timing.

Condenser

A condenser is a capacitor, a type of electrical component that can quickly absorb and discharge electrical energy.

Timing Advance

Non-electronic methods of advancing the timing are vacuum advance and mechanical advance.

Ignition Control Module

The ignition control module is often located inside the distributor, and electronically controls when power is supplied to the rest of the distributor.

Installing a Distributor by MSD