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What's the general consensus on how long a distributor cap/rotor should last? I've been using genuine Motorcraft brand caps/rotors on my '84 351W. My truck doesn't get driven much, and this image shows what it looks like after only about 5k miles over 3 years:
I was getting a heavy stumble in the 1200-1500 RPM range, and a new cap/rotor took care of that. But alas, the one I installed was another Motorcraft so I suspect it will not live very long again, either. I know a cap/rotor are considered normal wear parts, and need to be replaced on a regular basis, but 5k miles seems way too short.
Note how the posts seem to be aluminum or some similar alloy. I noticed a NAPA version has brass posts. I'm wondering if that would be a better option. Any thoughts, favorite brands, etc.?
I'll go 10 years or so, I don't drive mine much either. I've told the story before. Back in the mid 1990's I bought a "life time" cap and rotor, when I paid the kid I told him this store will be gone by the time I have enough miles to replace these. I replaced those about 15 years later in 2013.
3700 miles since Nov 2011. 49,800 miles since Sept 1991.
I'll go 10 years or so, I don't drive mine much either. I've told the story before. Back in the mid 1990's I bought a "life time" cap and rotor, when I paid the kid I told him this store will be gone by the time I have enough miles to replace these. I replaced those about 15 years later in 2013.
3700 miles since Nov 2011. 49,800 miles since Sept 1991.
Now you are just being mean. Can't leave us hanging like that. How am I gonna find closure?
Now you are just being mean. Can't leave us hanging like that. How am I gonna find closure?
Is the store still there?
Sorry, yes that store closed in the mid-late 2000's. It was one of the name brand stores, just not in a good location I guess. For some reason I kept checking when I used to drive by there.
Here's the current rotor and cap installed July 2013.
