1936 distributor noise

Henry Hopper

Henry Hopper

Senior Member
I've just driven my 36 properly since I got it and there is a whine coming from the rear of the distributor.At first I thought it was coming from the new Powergen alternator but after removing the v belt and using a listening stick it was found to be coming from the rear of the distributor.

I called a friend of mine and we talked about possible causes and one was to disconnect the vacuum line to the distributor from the manifold.I did this and the noise dissappeared...refitted it and the noise came back.

The noise sounds like a Pete Jackson gear drive...very noticeable at idle but seems quiter when revs increased...it sounds like a dry bearing kind of sound.

I've been looking up for any info on the web and ask, could the piston in the vacuum break make this noise if the leather pad was missing?ie,metal on metal?
 
If it were the leather pad missing I think it would do just the opposite; make noise at low or no vqcuum conditions.
 
Remove the piston, coat leather and actual piston with liberal amount of high temp grease and reinstall, Its vacuum squeal........
 
Thanks for the help.... I found the piston bone dry and full of score marks... luckily I had a spare dizzy in vgc that I was able to take the piston and spring out of and fitted into the one on the car.Fired it up and no noises....

Much appreciated.
 
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