The Ford Barn

cars56 · 04-02-2013, 02:52 PM

Hi all, Cam won't lock down when timing ignition (lots of play in each direction), even with a lot of torque on the cam screw? suggestions please, thanks

buddridge · 04-02-2013, 03:08 PM

Hello....Just got finished with the same problem on my 30. Turned out to be the intermediate distributor shaft was worn from insufficient lube over the years. Took a while to figure out but it was an easy fix. Cheap too. I'm out on LI. Pretty sure Joblot in Queens has the shaft. Bud

Purdy Swoft · 04-02-2013, 03:11 PM

If you are talking about backlash in the distributor shaft, there will usually be some. There is a washer that should go under the cam screw. As long as it is set with ALL of the backlash in the counter clockwise direction it won't effect the timing or anything else. The distributor turns in the counter clockwise direction when the engine is running but rides on the clockwise side of the backlash. When the cam screw is tightened, the trailing edge of the rotor tip needs to point exactly at the number one spark plug contact inside of the dist. cap body with no clockwise backlash.If you can do this and the points gap is correct (.018 to .022 ) you will be amazed at how good and fast it will run.

Phil · 04-02-2013, 04:49 PM

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Some times the pin breaks in the two piece shaft and allows the upper shaft to spin. Worth a look remove and check it.

04-02-2013, 02:52 PM	#1
cars56 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 212	cam play Hi all, Cam won't lock down when timing ignition (lots of play in each direction), even with a lot of torque on the cam screw? suggestions please, thanks

04-02-2013, 03:08 PM	#2
buddridge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 50	Re: cam play Hello....Just got finished with the same problem on my 30. Turned out to be the intermediate distributor shaft was worn from insufficient lube over the years. Took a while to figure out but it was an easy fix. Cheap too. I'm out on LI. Pretty sure Joblot in Queens has the shaft. Bud

04-02-2013, 03:11 PM	#3
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: cam play If you are talking about backlash in the distributor shaft, there will usually be some. There is a washer that should go under the cam screw. As long as it is set with ALL of the backlash in the counter clockwise direction it won't effect the timing or anything else. The distributor turns in the counter clockwise direction when the engine is running but rides on the clockwise side of the backlash. When the cam screw is tightened, the trailing edge of the rotor tip needs to point exactly at the number one spark plug contact inside of the dist. cap body with no clockwise backlash.If you can do this and the points gap is correct (.018 to .022 ) you will be amazed at how good and fast it will run.

04-02-2013, 04:49 PM	#4
Phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bethany, Ok Posts: 382	Re: cam play Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Some times the pin breaks in the two piece shaft and allows the upper shaft to spin. Worth a look remove and check it.