The Ford Barn

BillCNC · 02-17-2018, 12:34 PM

Hey Folk's,

I'm installing a new Distributor today and was wondering, do I just drop the shaft in, index the slot with a screwdriver and twist until the shaft engages and then do the same for the distributor?

If I need to tweak the slot's how do I remove the shaft from the hole?

YES, ... I know to pour (2) quarts of oil down the distributor hole before the install.

Regards
Bill

hardtimes · 02-17-2018, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillCNC

Hey Folk's,

I'm installing a new Distributor today and was wondering, do I just drop the shaft in, index the slot with a screwdriver and twist until the shaft engages and then do the same for the distributor?

If I need to tweak the slot's how do I remove the shaft from the hole?

YES, ... I know to pour (2) quarts of oil down the distributor hole before the install.

Regards
Bill

Hey Bill,
Explain...'tweak the slots' ?
I usually use a magnet , on first tries, to remove shafts.
Long screw driver is how I turn / orient oil pump shaft slot where wanted.

BillCNC · 02-17-2018, 01:49 PM

Hi hardtimes,

Thanks for the reply. Tweaking the slot's was referencing to slightly modifying the slot's at both ends of the shaft only if needed with a file so the tang's index smoothly with no binding.

Regards
Bill

hardtimes · 02-17-2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillCNC

Hi hardtimes,

Thanks for the reply. Tweaking the slot's was referencing to slightly modifying the slot's at both ends of the shaft only if needed with a file so the tang's index smoothly with no binding.

Regards
Bill

Ok, but loose connections can be problematic in getting timing to run steady...so tweak with that in mind, IMO !

1930-Pickup · 02-17-2018, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillCNC

Hey Folk's,

I'm installing a new Distributor today and was wondering, do I just drop the shaft in, index the slot with a screwdriver and twist until the shaft engages and then do the same for the distributor?

If I need to tweak the slot's how do I remove the shaft from the hole?

YES, ... I know to pour (2) quarts of oil down the distributor hole before the install.

Regards
Bill

Bill- I'm not familiar with this for a distributor installation. Is this because this is the first time the oil pump has been run?

BillCNC · 02-17-2018, 03:07 PM

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hardtimes,

Yup.

1930-Pickup,

No, it's not new, but she's been sitting for 5 month's with the engine drain plug out of her, just slowly dripping into a coffee can. I figured, why not, more than likely what was in the pump has drained out.

Regards
Bill

Karl · 02-17-2018, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930-Pickup

Bill- I'm not familiar with this for a distributor installation. Is this because this is the first time the oil pump has been run?

There is no need to put oil down the distributor shaft hole unless this is the first time the engine is run after a rebuild.
The oil has nothing to do with the distributor its just a convenient way of getting oil to the valve chamber before the oil pump kicks in on a new rebuild.-

Ah I see our post crossed - Probably does make sense to put some oil down there-Karl

Dick M · 02-17-2018, 03:49 PM

Drop the distributor through the head. Turn the upper distributor shaft until the distributor drops into place and is flush with the head. That's it, you're done!

Jacksonlll · 02-17-2018, 10:09 PM

Drop the shaft in and seat. It like you said. Remove it with needle nose pliers.

redmodelt · 02-17-2018, 11:03 PM

Test fit the shaft to distributor, drop the shaft into place turn till it lines up, drop the distributor in, turn the cam till the slot lines up and it seats, clamp down but only snug don't over do it. Time if needed, done. Go ahead and add a qt of oil down the shaft hole. Will not hurt and you will know there is oil in the valve chamber for start up.

700rpm · 02-17-2018, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmodelt

Test fit the shaft to distributor, drop the shaft into place turn till it lines up, drop the distributor in, turn the cam till the slot lines up and it seats, clamp down but only snug don't over do it. Time if needed, done. Go ahead and add a qt of oil down the shaft hole. Will not hurt and you will know there is oil in the valve chamber for start up.

That’s the way I’ve always done it too.

02-17-2018, 12:34 PM	#1
BillCNC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: SoCal Desert Posts: 826	Distributor Install Question Hey Folk's, I'm installing a new Distributor today and was wondering, do I just drop the shaft in, index the slot with a screwdriver and twist until the shaft engages and then do the same for the distributor? If I need to tweak the slot's how do I remove the shaft from the hole? YES, ... I know to pour (2) quarts of oil down the distributor hole before the install. Regards Bill

02-17-2018, 01:49 PM	#3
BillCNC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: SoCal Desert Posts: 826	Re: Distributor Install Question Hi hardtimes, Thanks for the reply. Tweaking the slot's was referencing to slightly modifying the slot's at both ends of the shaft only if needed with a file so the tang's index smoothly with no binding. Regards Bill

02-17-2018, 03:07 PM	#6
BillCNC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: SoCal Desert Posts: 826	Re: Distributor Install Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) hardtimes, Yup. 1930-Pickup, No, it's not new, but she's been sitting for 5 month's with the engine drain plug out of her, just slowly dripping into a coffee can. I figured, why not, more than likely what was in the pump has drained out. Regards Bill

02-17-2018, 03:49 PM	#8
Dick M Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 477	Re: Distributor Install Question Drop the distributor through the head. Turn the upper distributor shaft until the distributor drops into place and is flush with the head. That's it, you're done!

02-17-2018, 10:09 PM	#9
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Distributor Install Question Drop the shaft in and seat. It like you said. Remove it with needle nose pliers.

02-17-2018, 11:03 PM	#10
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Distributor Install Question Test fit the shaft to distributor, drop the shaft into place turn till it lines up, drop the distributor in, turn the cam till the slot lines up and it seats, clamp down but only snug don't over do it. Time if needed, done. Go ahead and add a qt of oil down the shaft hole. Will not hurt and you will know there is oil in the valve chamber for start up. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!