Distributor drive

roddyb34

roddyb34

Senior Member
Can i take my out my distributor drive out without upsetting any timing issues,,,is it removable? ,,,
 
You might put it back 180 degrees out of time. If it shows the rotor in the wrong place from when it was removed just turn it 180.
 
might be prudent to set the enine at No1 TDC, and looking where the rotor arm is pointing prior to removing the dizzy. This facilitates getting it back in the correct position. ( shaft has offset key at base , so theoretically foolproof ) . Loosen the lock nut and stud in side of head to free the dizzy , but sometimes if they haven't been removed for 2 decades they don't come out easy and the whole head has to be removed c/w dizzy and dizzy shaft.
 
johnbuckley said:
might be prudent to set the enine at No1 TDC, and looking where the rotor arm is pointing prior to removing the dizzy. This facilitates getting it back in the correct position. ( shaft has offset key at base , so theoretically foolproof ) . Loosen the lock nut and stud in side of head to free the dizzy , but sometimes if they haven't been removed for 2 decades they don't come out easy and the whole head has to be removed c/w dizzy and dizzy shaft.
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This would not be foolproof since the slot below the gear is centered and the oil pump shaft is centered. If the drive is put back in wrong the timing would be 180 off. If the drive is installed incorrectly by any number of gear teeth and the engine is turned to make the pump shaft to mesh, the timing could be off by any number of degrees. I agree, the distributor shaft is offset and cannot be installed incorrectly. Only when the drive is removed can the timing be changed by this action.
 
The shaft on all the distributors I've pulled out or put back in have had offset slots. You can "time" a backup dizzy or two and pack them in the rumble for trip insurance when you make that drive to Alaska.
On the other hand, if you pull the gear that turns on the camshaft -- remove the oil pump drive gear -- there would be lots of ways to get it back in "wrong." That's the reason that the spare distributor that your friend might be carrying won't be set up for your car. If you borrow it sometime along side the interstate or in a surprise thunderstorm, you will need to install it and then time the car, too.
That's a very good reason to carry two spares in your car. One ready to go in your car and one to loan to your buddy who is traveling "naked."
 
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