The distributor is a precision electro-mechanical device with several purposes. It has a primary ignition portion consisting of an input wire from the coil, contact points and the condenser. The points open and close at precise intervals to interrupt the current flow in the coil, allowing for the high voltage output to be induced to fire the spark plugs. The condenser is attached to the distributor body and serves two purposes – to provide a more prolonged spark to establish a sustainable flame front in the cylinder, and secondly to reduce arcing at the points’ contacts. The distributor also has an advance mechanism to deliver the spark earlier as engine speed increases. - Greg Bryan