Reliant ROBIN 850 Workshop Manual page 171

Electrics Section T
Introduction
From engine number 7942 the 750cc engine has
incorporated a different distributor to that
described on pages 2 to 4.
The service recommendations for this new
distributor are as follows:
Lu brication of distributor
The cam and contact breaker plate pivots and
bushing, when assembling after overhaul, should
be lubricated with Shell Retinax 'A' or an
equivalent grease. The cam spindle governer
weights and breaker arm pivot should be
lubricated with engine oil every 3,000 miles
(5,000 km). To lubricate the cam spindle
remove the rotor and apply two drops of oil to
the felt pad in the top of the cam. The felt pad
fitted to the contact breaker, augments
lubrication of the cam. This does not require
periodic lubrication, as it is impregnated before
fitting. Only a film of engine oil should be
applied to the hollow breaker arm pivot post,
ensuring tha\ none contaminates the distributor
points.
Caution : Do not over lubricate any part of the
distributor. The presence of dirt, oil or water on
the ignition points, the central carbon brush,
or in the contact segments in the distributor
cover, will cause erratic running or may even
prevent the engine from running at all.
Contact breaker points
To adjust
1 Remove the distributor cap and rotor arm.
2 Turn the engine so that the heel of the
contact breaker is on the highest point of the
cam. (It may be necessary to remove sparking
plugs to eliminate the resistance cau!ied by
compression.)
3 Slacken the slotted headed screw ( Figure
4b) in the contact plate and adjust until the gap
is 0.38mm (0.015in). The gap is measured with
a suitable feel er gauge and pressure should be
applied to the points, with the feeler gauge
inserted between them, whilst the screw is
being t ightened.
4 Retighten the screw and make a further
check with the feeler gauge in case tightening
the screw has altered the settings.
5 Reposition the rotor arm squa rely on the
distribu tor cam boss with the slot and lug in
line. Press the rotor into position on the spindle.
Note : When the rotor is fitted to the spindle the
lower face does not abut the cam.
4a
1 Distributor
2 Cover
3 Rotor arm
4 Condenser
5 Contact set
6 Screw
7 Washer
8 Lockwasher
Figure 4a Distributor, engine number 7942
onwards
Removal and examination of
contact breaker points
1 Remove the distributor cap and rotor arm.
2 Press the terminal end of the moving-contact
spring towards the cam. ( Figur
e 4c) . This will
disengage the spring from the insulating-piece
attached to the terminal post, the capacitor lead
and low tension fly-lead can then be detached
from the folded end of the spring. Remove the
slotted screw securing the fixed-contact and lift
the contact- breaker from the base plate.
3 Check the condition of the points for signs of
wear or burning on the contact. If this is
apparent, the complete breaker arm assembly
will need replacing. Contacts showing a greyish