Distributor rotor shattered

[PAV1980Spider]

My 1980 Fiat Spider 2000 (FI) broke the distributor rotor yesterday. I had the distributor cap removed because I noticed that oil had been seeping from there, which is another issue that I will need help later on.
After I cleaned the oil from the distributor I put the cap back, started the engine and it run for about 15, 20 seconds before the rotor broke.
My question is if anyone can tell me what could have caused this break? Putting the cap back should be quite a simple thing but apparently I did not do it right.
Your help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Petko

[narfire]

I'm thinking the cap was not on quite right and the rotor was whacking the/ a contact pin inside the cap.

[PAV1980Spider]

Thanks, I agree that this is most probably the reason too; but since I have had this car for less than 3 weeks I just wanted to make sure that there was not some kind of “fiat” specific trick that needs to be done in order to put the cap back on. The spares to rebuild the distributor should be here in a few days and I would hate to shatter the rotor or the cap again.

Petko

[4uall]

this might help with the seal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcFps2qL44Y

[PAV1980Spider]

Got the parts from Jay in Texas, www.spiderroadster.com; he was very helpful and shipped them in 2 days.
The pin came out rather easily, put the new seal and now the car is ready to go again. Needless to say, I am very happy that it was a straight forward repair.
Hope the inevitable next one to be similar.