Distributor cam

[Pinstripe]

also known and sold as plumbers tape

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Pinstripe

also known and sold as plumbers tape

Don't think that's quite correct. When I look up the definition of "plumber's tape" this is what I get:

There are two common types of tape that are referred to as plumber's tape. The first should more accurately be called "Teflon tape", and the second is more correctly referred to as "metal strapping". In both cases, the product is most commonly used by plumbers.

On the other hand, Crocus Cloth is described as:

Crocus cloth is an abrasive sheet similar to sand paper or emery cloth but covered with a layer of very fine loose iron oxide particles rather than with bound grains of abrasive. "For final metal and gemstone finishing." It is available in various grades (particle sizes).

What is being described here is the abrasive sheet, available at industrial hardware stores.

[P.S.]

Wouldn't trust any sort of abrasive paper on a distributor cam. I use a Dremel tool with a buffing wheel on it and some metal polish instead of compound. You want to polish the cam, not cut away material and chance changing the shape or size of the lobes. You just want them mirror finish smooth.

The last polished distributor cam I installed in my Tudor with a brand new set of (old style) points, I set them at .020 and in a couple thousand miles, they are still at exactly .020, no wear at all. Typically, a new set of points will have to wear in, requiring re-adjustment around 500 miles after installation. With a polished cam, zero wear on the new points.