The Ford Barn

Willie Krash · 06-09-2014, 01:23 PM

Just rec'd my distributor parts and thought I'd share some observation. I ordered bushings and was surprised to find they were a Clevite style and the vendor felt they might need reaming. Clevite is good stuff.
Reaming a Clevite bushing is an interesting concept.
So for those that don't own reamers (I do) it becomes problematic.
If you have an old dist shaft you can score it with a lathe bit and use it as a reamer.
What I did do is used a bushing that didn't need reaming. I used an Ace bushing #4436, .5015ID x .5635OD x .680-L

The new shaft and these bushings fit like a glove. Even assembled dry they feel great. Just thought it might help.
They fit Lucas and any generator shop ought to have them.
BTW over the last 30 years we have used composition bushings in dist for customers but it not what we do. As well Oilite composition bushings are porous and hold oil like a sponge.

Patrick L. · 06-09-2014, 03:56 PM

Good info. I prefer Oilite.

Russ/40 · 06-09-2014, 04:02 PM

Where would you buy the Ace bushing?

1931 flamingo · 06-09-2014, 04:56 PM

"They fit Lucas and any generator shop ought to have them"--------from above.
Paul in CT

Willie Krash · 06-09-2014, 09:56 PM

Romaine electric has 30 in Kent Wa. They are going away fast and I have a dozen or so left. They service the trade and I doubt will sell one or two. Have a local shop put them in their next order. I get freight everyday. Ace is gone but it's numbering system is well known to rebuilders. Next time you are in Oregon Russ drop by and I'll give you a set.
The Dist is in the car btw and all is good. No reaming perfect fit.

Brian T · 06-10-2014, 12:25 AM

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The distributor bushings I have purchased from Snyders and Berts do not need reaming, just a little burnishing and there good to go.

Tom Wesenberg · 06-10-2014, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian T

The distributor bushings I have purchased from Snyders and Berts do not need reaming, just a little burnishing and there good to go.

Ditto with the shafts and bushings I bought from Bratton's in the past. Good to know Bert's and Snyder's also have correct fit shafts and bushings.

06-09-2014, 01:23 PM	#1
Willie Krash Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Phoenix, Oregon Posts: 661	Reaming dist bushings Just rec'd my distributor parts and thought I'd share some observation. I ordered bushings and was surprised to find they were a Clevite style and the vendor felt they might need reaming. Clevite is good stuff. Reaming a Clevite bushing is an interesting concept. So for those that don't own reamers (I do) it becomes problematic. If you have an old dist shaft you can score it with a lathe bit and use it as a reamer. What I did do is used a bushing that didn't need reaming. I used an Ace bushing #4436, .5015ID x .5635OD x .680-L The new shaft and these bushings fit like a glove. Even assembled dry they feel great. Just thought it might help. They fit Lucas and any generator shop ought to have them. BTW over the last 30 years we have used composition bushings in dist for customers but it not what we do. As well Oilite composition bushings are porous and hold oil like a sponge. __________________ Mike Stitt "A business that make nothing but money is a poor business." -Henry Ford

06-09-2014, 03:56 PM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Reaming dist bushings Good info. I prefer Oilite.

06-09-2014, 04:02 PM	#3
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Reaming dist bushings Where would you buy the Ace bushing?

06-09-2014, 09:56 PM	#5
Willie Krash Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Phoenix, Oregon Posts: 661	Re: Reaming dist bushings Romaine electric has 30 in Kent Wa. They are going away fast and I have a dozen or so left. They service the trade and I doubt will sell one or two. Have a local shop put them in their next order. I get freight everyday. Ace is gone but it's numbering system is well known to rebuilders. Next time you are in Oregon Russ drop by and I'll give you a set. The Dist is in the car btw and all is good. No reaming perfect fit. __________________ Mike Stitt "A business that make nothing but money is a poor business." -Henry Ford

06-10-2014, 12:25 AM	#6
Brian T Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego,Ca Posts: 1,377	Re: Reaming dist bushings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The distributor bushings I have purchased from Snyders and Berts do not need reaming, just a little burnishing and there good to go. __________________ Nothing can be made foolproof, ---- fools are ingenious bastards.

06-09-2014, 04:56 PM	#4
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Reaming dist bushings "They fit Lucas and any generator shop ought to have them"--------from above. Paul in CT