Dimension for offset on cam drive.

Mart

Well-known member
Hello. I've measured various distributors and cams and am getting measurements of .030" to .040" for the offset of the slot in the end of the cam. Does anyone know what the official dimension is?
This is for a 59A type front mounted distributor.
Thanks in advance.
Mart.
 
Mart, These dimensions are for the adaptor button that is in my manuals CD. I think they give the info you are looking for.
Chuck
 

Attachments

  • dist button.jpg
    dist button.jpg
    55.1 KB · Views: 124
Last edited:
That's great. Thanks very much. So the official figure for the cam offset is .031" to .032".
Just the info I needed.
 
I was thinking that ~0.031" doesn't seem like near enough offset to be fail-safe. DD
.

Yeah, Coops, but because the tang is also offset, you'd have to be .062" out for it to engage incorrectly.
That ought to be enough, but it happens even then.
Mart.
 
I installed a Schneider cam in my 59A using a crab dist. When the crab was installed there was no end play in the rotor shaft. Spent some time bluing and fitting until there was some end play. Fast forward...I sent that distributor out for repaair and installed my spare...didn't fit the key ways... and there again was no rotor shaft end play. Installed anyway and drove off. Didn't get far as the stamped rotor bearing support bracket broke. Tried my buddies spare crab that wasn't fitted to the keyway....1/2 mile later 1 mounting bolt fell out and car died.....Got the original crab back on the car and no problems.....I say to always have some end play in the rotor shaft when the distributor is mounted properly....THE END.
 
LQQKER it sounds like your cam has the same manufacturing fault as mine. I trashed 2 distributors before I worked out what was wrong with it.
Mart.
 
I just successfully remachined two 8BA type (actually French) cams back to 59A spec. Quite the setup in the lathe and milling machine. Quite a stretch with my limited machining abilities. I'll probably show the results in a future video.
 
Hey Mart: If those cams have the oil-feed passage from the front journal (to the front of the original drive gear area), I'd tap/plug the passage when using it on a 59A type setup. There is no reason to have that lubrication spraying onto the back of the front-mount distributor.
 
Back
Top