Magnetic Ring Cracks when installing

[ArtJ]

I am upgrading my spare late model engine to use Petronix instead of
points.

I tried to install the magnetic ring using a 9/16 socket and small hammer
as suggested in the Moyer instruction sheet. I could not get the
ring to seat without considerable force. This resulted in the ring
cracking.

The ring was installed correctly oriented on 1 of 4 flats and proper side
up.

There is little evidence of corrosion on the distributor shaft.

Has any else had difficulty installing this ring?

Just now received a email from Don Moyer he suggested using
a hair dryer to heat the ring when installing.
How much heat is enough?

Would appreciate comments from others who have experienced
similar issues installing the ring.
Best Regards

Art

[thatch]

Art, I have installed about 10 of the magnetic rings including 2 on my A4's and have never had to use more than just finger pressure. The heat trick might do the job or you might try cleaning up the distributor cam a little more.
Tom

[sastanley]

Art, I cracked mine too, but like Tom, I was able to push it on by hand, but it did take two thumbs. To get the ring in the correct position to line up with the ignitor unit, the top collar of my ring broke off, so I could then slide the ring down on the distributor shaft enough to align it.

[ArtJ]

Which way is the top of the ring ? I believe that the separable ring is the
part which hold the 4 magnets in place.
The only way it would go on was
with the separable ring facing down. I just retry'd it again with the broken part
won't go on with separable facing up.
the actual main body developed a
complete vertical split on one side. the separable part which holds the
magnets was facing down and separated as well.

Do you guys have early model distributor? The early model only requires
1/4 inch clearance whereas the late model requires 7/16 inch.

[thatch]

Art, I just went to my shop and removed and then re-installed the mag ring on my spare A4. What I found was that it would slide part of the way down but then I had to rotate it slightly to find the "sweet spot" to push it down the rest of the way. Still, just thumb pressure was needed.
Tom

[thatch]

Oops, mine is a late model also.
T

[ArtJ]

Thatch

Which end is the top ?


Thanks

Art

[ArtJ]

I just spoke with Petronix. They are sending me a new magnetic ring at no cost.
They said I was installing it correctly as it will only go on one way. I also
noticed some splash over from the mold

[ArtJ]

Installed the new Ring today. It initially would not go on either. However;
Persuasion from the judicious use of a carefully placed heat gun warmed
it up just enough so that it would slide all the way down! Success

Best Regards

Art

[thatch]

Congrat's on the mag-ring success. Just out of curiosity, do you live in one of those cold weather states, where the ring installation may have been hampered because of "temperature shrinkage"? Like I said before, I've never had a problem installing those rings but I am generally doing it in 80+ So.Cal weather.
Tom

[ArtJ]

Hi Thatch

Yup, I live in New Hampshire. It has been very cold and snowy here lately.

But that should have shrunk the "post" and since the ring was indoors, it
should have helped things.
the engine was in a cold attached garage.

Don M thought I might have a slightly oversized post.

Regards

Art

[romantic comedy]

this worries me that the ring might crack with temperature changes

[sastanley]

RC, mine hasn't yet, any worse than it cracked trying to install it, after 6+ years..but who knows?

[Ball Racing]

I had the same trouble of not being able to get the ring on.
I damaged the ring some, then took it off, and tried it on a different distributor, it FIT?
So I measured the distributor cams and there were at least .020 difference between the two.
So I then swaped in the smaller cam.
I bought a spare ring, same deal, the cams are the difference..