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06-04-2021, 10:56 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 159
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Distributor shaft end play
Long story but I got into a situation where I cracked my distributor casting. I ordered a replacement (not going to say where as I haven't even tried to call them and won't if I find a quick solution) but it came with the shaft and corresponding parts assembled.
The roll pin they used on the lower shaft "collar" isn't pressed all the way in and the shaft is already binding slightly in a couple of spots when rotating. If I put the pin in all the way the shaft locks up. I pulled it and took the thrust washer they have on the bottom off and of course now there's a lot of clearance in the shaft. The washer in there is roughly 0.015" I have a lathe, have been a machinist in my misspent youth. I was looking for quick solutions as I was wanting to get the distributor in the car this weekend. Was thinking I would put the collar in the lathe and take a couple thou off the end but was looking for what my target should be for overall shaft end play. 1-3 thou? (0.001-0.003)? or like 0.005? Thoughts? |
06-04-2021, 11:00 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 213
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Re: Distributor shaft end play
I can't talk to the proper clearance. But here are my thoughts on the issue: May be binding on the lower bushing, if it was not pressed all the way in. You could just hit the bottom of the distributer on a belt sander and see if you can take off just enough to not get the binding. I don't have a lathe so would use my belt sander on either the collar or the end of the distributor to get the clearance.
Even if you fix it an don't send it back I would let the supplier know. |
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06-04-2021, 11:28 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma
Posts: 2,354
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Re: Distributor shaft end play
When you get all done, check the top of the shaft(where the cam rides) for run out.
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06-04-2021, 12:09 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,075
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Re: Distributor shaft end play
Quote:
You do need the thrust washer at the bottom between the collar and the distributor housing. Bert's sells thin metal (0.015") and thick fiber (0.030") thrust washers for that purpose. Sort of a bummer that you need to do that on a brand new distributor, though. JayJay
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JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan |
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06-04-2021, 12:25 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 226
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Re: Distributor shaft end play
This is how I do it.
Many shafts are too low, causing the rotor to be too low from the contacts in the cap and the rubbing block will be at the top of the cam. Many times I need to put a fiber washer and a thin metal washer at the top to raise the shaft up to make the rotor centered with the contacts in the cap and the rubbing block on the contacts centered on the cam. After I get the correct height of the shaft, I machine the bottom coller in a lathe just enough to let the shaft turn easy without binding. Sometimes you will need a fiber washer on the bottom and sometimes you do not need a fiber washer on the bottom. |
06-04-2021, 04:02 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 189
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Re: Distributor shaft end play
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06-07-2021, 11:26 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 159
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Re: Distributor shaft end play
I ended up taking a tiny bit off each end with some emory paper assembling until I got reduced binding and started to develop a tiny bit of end play.
Put a tiny bit of oil on the bushings and checked the whole assembly up in my lathe and ran it at low speed for 30-50 seconds and everything seemed to wear in a bit and it was able to spin without binding at all. Should be good. |
06-07-2021, 12:12 PM | #8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Elk Grove Ca.
Posts: 5
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Re: Distributor shaft end play
Make sure you oil it BEFORE you run it in the car. I have seen a few that didn't get oil and be toast in a short time.
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