35 Distributor Oil

Trelpdx

Trelpdx

Senior Member
Putting together my distributor (40B) for my 35 and thought it would be a good idea to make sure the front oil passage was clear. I can't seem to blow compressed air or to get solvent to pass through to the front bushing. Any advise?

Also, the book say that the 40B Distributor is used for aluminum head engines. I am using cast iron heads. Is that a problem?

Thanks much,
Peder
 
There is probley a peace of felt in the bottom of the hole it holds the oil and lets a little seep out while running .Aluminum heads done away with yrs ago
 
If you have replaced the front bushing you would have noticed a groove cut into the housing beneath the bushing,this is for the oil to seep through the bushing. Must be scraped out before you replace the said bushing. It gets caked up with old oil and must be cleaned out. ken ct. Thats what a good rebuilder does to these on a rebuild.
 
Ken,

The bushing is in good shape so I didn't bother to take it out. Are you telling me that it must come out to clean the groove?

TX,
Peder
 
How else would you clean it out.The bushing when in there covers up the oil groove. This is the bigger bushing in the rear of the housing.About 1 1/4 diam. ken ct. You live and learn.
 
"It gets caked up with old oil and must be cleaned out. ken ct."

Ken's right on the money. Folks use the wrong oil. A multi-grade high-detergent oil works best providing it has a sufficient amount of ZDDP, or zinc.

Non-detergent oil allows the contaminates to settle out of the oil and clog the oil groove.

The jury is still out on synthetic oils although I personally think they are not necessary since Ford did not use synthetic oil in the distributor front bearing originally. On the other hand, the correct replacement felt is critical. NAPA does not have a part number.

I sell replacement felts. (Currently they are on back order. Maintaining reliable oversea's suppliers is a constant problem. Americans do not seem to want to produce quality distributor felt.)

(Ken might want to tell everyone how to remove the front bushing by the way. If done incorrectly, you will leave so many scars that the oil groove will be unrecognizable.)

Also ... don't forget. Daylight Saving Time ended last night. Set your distributors BACK one hour.

(Will miss Ken at Moultrie.)

gashammer.jpg
 
you should not be able to get air to pass through the "oil lite" bushing. Oil seeps through to lube the shaft. place a drop of 30W inside the bushing prior to assembly, and lube the oil cup with a few drops with every oil change. If your changing the bushing be sure to follow kens advice. The 40-B will be fine for an engine with cast iron heads.
 
All you have to do is drive the bushing out is a bushing driver tool.And put back in same way.If sloppy on shaft might as well install new one.That takes care of the rear one. The front one witch the oil cup and felt feeds the front one,that one the groove is on theOD of the bushing. To remove that one you thread a sutible big tap down into the bushing till it bottomes out and it will start pushing the bushing up out of the housing. I have new oil cups and the wicks for the hole if you need as well as new bushings . ken ct.
 
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