Distributor cap vent holes (?)

[801FJ62]

Hi folks. Replaced my distributor cap, and as I was reconnecting everything, I noticed my new cap had one vent to connect to the little hose going to the air box, whereas my old one had two - one to the air box and one that just kinda disappeared behind the firewall. My question - can I just remove said hoses and plug the vent up? Is it neccessary to have these things? Thanks!

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

Someone can weigh in, but iirc you have to have those holes

 

[Spike Strip]

They're there to keep the inside of the dissy warm and dry. One is to a low vac source and the other is to a small filter on the inside passenger firewall. People who plug them will find the guts of the dissy get nasty and rusty from trapped vapor. Get the right cap.

Have also heard of this happening: https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/372078-distributor-cap-exploded.html

 

[Joe_E]

Pre ih8mud, Jim C , and desmog threads, this is what happens when you don't hook up the dizzy vent holes correctly.

 

[Spike Strip]

That'll buff right out ...

 

[Godwin]

Pre ih8mud, Jim C , and desmog threads, this is what happens when you don't hook up the dizzy vent holes correctly.

Or even if hooked up correctly but the firewall, in-cab filter is plugged. I went through 2 distributors in less than a year on a 3FE before I determined that the filter was plugged. A cheap fuel filter mounted high on the rear firewall as the fresh air source was the fix.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Or even if hooked up correctly but the firewall, in-cab filter is plugged. I went through 2 distributors in less than a year on a 3FE before I determined that the filter was plugged. A cheap fuel filter mounted high on the rear firewall as the fresh air source was the fix.

Exactly ^^^^

Use an aftermarket valve cover breather available at O'Reilly's or Autozone but mount it as high as you can on the firewall.