Distributor Spins

[USNA1969]

I removed the distributor to replace the bushings. The body went back in and sits in the same position it had before removal. As far as I can tell I didn't lose any parts and there were no parts left over when I replaced the bushings.

I'm concerned that the rotor and shaft spin in the body. There is some drag, which I assume comes from the bushings and the oil pump, but I was able to move it 40-50 degrees in either direction. Is it normally free to spin like that?

 

[Hib Halverson]

I removed the distributor to replace the bushings. The body went back in and sits in the same position it had before removal. As far as I can tell I didn't lose any parts and there were no parts left over when I replaced the bushings.

I'm concerned that the rotor and shaft spin in the body. There is some drag, which I assume comes from the bushings and the oil pump, but I was able to move it 40-50 degrees in either direction. Is it normally free to spin like that?

If the distributor is installed in the motor with the distributor hold-down tight and you can rotate the dist. shaft 40-50 degrees there is a serious problem somewhere.

Either the distributor was assembled without the pin in the gear or the gear on the camshaft is extremely worn.

When everything is right, with the advance mechanism locked, you should hardly be able to turn the dist. shaft at all. With the advance operating, you should be able to turn the rotor 10-12 degrees.

 

[USNA1969]

Thanks for your comment. I was afraid something wasn't right. I did intall the roll pin in the drive gear, but I'll pull the distributor and make sure it didn't break - i'm pretty sure it wouldn't have fallen out.

 

[67HEAVEN]

The assumption is that the distributor is fully seated in the oil pump. It is seated, right? The visible base of the distributor is resting close to the intake manifold, correct? You have installed the hold-down clamp and bolt without difficulty, correct?

It's not the outer housing that's rotating, is it? Just asking.

Although it's unlikely that you've done it incorrectly, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Good luck.

 

[minifridge1138]

If the distributor is installed all the way, then you should have almost no play in the shaft.
I can't rotate the shaft in mine at all, just move the rotor as much as the mechanical advance will allow.
If you're lucky, the distributor isn't all the way against the intake.
If you're only a little lucky, the distributor is broken.
If you're unlucky, the bearing in the cam is stripped and you need a new camshaft.

(with my luck, i know exactly what my problem would be :bash)

Good luck!

 

[TimAT]

Maybe flipped the distributor gear??

 

[Hib Halverson]

Maybe flipped the distributor gear??

Good thing to check for.

 

[JohnZ]

The drive gear should look like this, shimmed to .010" or less clearance to the bottom of the housing, and the "dimple" on it should point in the same direction as the tip of the rotor.