D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

[Larry T.]

Attached are a couple of pictures of a D409 I picked up for free because of the damage.

Is there any way that this part can be salvaged or used?

Thanks.

[Richard C.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Larry, it looks like you fixed it. put it in the car and run it. good job

[Edward J.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Larry, The rotor tip is not indexed correctly, maybe if you had one that you could use as a template you maybe able to algin. correctly. if this is not correct there will be a timing issue.If the rotor is the real deal you'll want to at least try to straighten the tip.

[Larry T.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Larry, it looks like you fixed it. put it in the car and run it. good job

The thing is the rotor tip/contact is not secured in place. With very little force it can be moved to the left of center. If it were to slip while driving, especially at higher RPM, I am concerned about potential damage to the engine.

[Duke W.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Try some epoxy on the broken locating tab to secure the electrode in the proper position.

Duke

[Larry T.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Try some epoxy on the broken locating tab to secure the electrode in the proper position.

Duke

Duke,

The broken tab is gone. Do you think I should try to build up a new one with some epoxy?

This may seem like a silly question, but do you have any concern as it regards balance of the rotor with the missing broken tab and the possibility that an epoxy build up may have a different weight? I just do not know how precision these parts are.

Thanks,

Larry

[Duke W.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Yes, with something like JB Weld.

The balance question is legitimate. I figure JB Weld density is equal or slightly greater than the plastic, so try to build up the broken tab with about the same amount of epoxy or a little less that the unbroken tab on the other side.

Duke

[William L.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

What am I missing here?? You cannot see it and it isn't judged. If it should brake again it could leave you stranded or worse yet it could do sever damage to your engine if it should brake at high rpm. My luck it would fail during ops check while trying for Flight.
What's the up side of taking the chance?
Bill

[Larry T.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

What am I missing here?? You cannot see it and it isn't judged. If it should brake again it could leave you stranded or worse yet it could do sever damage to your engine if it should brake at high rpm. My luck it would fail during ops check while trying for Flight.
What's the up side of taking the chance?
Bill

Probably right. Supposedly this rotor helps with performance at higher RPM per a recent Restorer article. I just thought I would get some input from others.

Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Probably right. Supposedly this rotor helps with performance at higher RPM per a recent Restorer article. I just thought I would get some input from others.

Thanks.

Larry------


It might not be worth fixing given that similar, high quality rotors are available from manufacturers like Accel for a relatively modest cost. However, I do think this rotor could be easily fixed just as Duke described. You already have a great surface for epoxy bonding with the broken-off tab---it's rough and porous. Make sure the surface is absolutely free of oil before applying the epoxy and I don't think there will ever be a problem. In fact, I think the repair will be stronger than the substrate material.

[Michael F.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Duke,

The broken tab is gone. Do you think I should try to build up a new one with some epoxy?

This may seem like a silly question, but do you have any concern as it regards balance of the rotor with the missing broken tab and the possibility that an epoxy build up may have a different weight? I just do not know how precision these parts are.

Thanks,

Larry

Use JB weld. It will hold up to the heat and will not require enough for balance to be an issue. :thumbs:

[Robert G.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

I checked a rotor I have that looks almost the same as yours (not a D409 though) and it's not balanced. It took the weight of a dime on the side opposite the rotor tip to balance it out. I've never heard of checking a rotor for balance before using.

[William C.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Unfortunately, all the "high perf" rotors I was able to obtain, including the accel were of the D-409R "short tip" design, rather than the original configuration.

[Clem Z.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

solder the tip to the rivet and check to see if it is solid

[Larry T.]

Re: D409 rotor - Can this be salvaged?

Unfortunately, all the "high perf" rotors I was able to obtain, including the accel were of the D-409R "short tip" design, rather than the original configuration.

Bill,

I picked up a non OEM D-409 a while back that may be of interest to you. It was manufactured under the name Preferred Perfect Products By Best Mechanics. The manufacturer appears to be Preferrred Electric and Wire Corp. out of Brooklyn New York. Based on my best measurement the electrode tip is the same distance from center as the Delco part. Any thoughts as to when this may have been manufactured?

Larry