54 y block dist. rotor clip

[rocket1]

I salvaged the engine about 20 years ago it had about 75 thousand miles on it I am trying to get it to run now.I found that the rotor moves back and forth a good inch I researched the problem and found out there is a clip missing.I ordered a clip and it will be delivered soon does the clip mount on the dist. shaft or do you insert it in the rotor? I see it has a tang which way does the tang face up or down in other words if it mounts on the dist. shaft would the tang face down or up? And if it is inserted in the rotor which way would would the tang go up into the rotor or facing down to the dist. body? Thanks in advance. Frank.

 

[dmsfrr]

The clip goes on the distributor shaft, and the tab extends upward.
(If I'm looking at these two photos correctly, I don't personally have one to look at.)

https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/distributor-rotor-retainer/

 

[rotorwrench]

That same clip was used for quite a few applications. My 1956 Ford 850 tractor has one. I always keep spares around because they are easy to lose.

 

[rocket1]

Thanks,it appears the way he has the clip sitting in the photo you just slide it down the dist. Shaft which would leave the tang facing up. I don't believe this engine ran very well with no clip! Frank.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Maybe these will help.

 

[dmsfrr]

Maybe these will help.

I'm guessing these photos were flipped right to left, mirror image?
Or are they from a different engine application with clockwise rotation???
.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Not mirror images. They are from my 53' Merc back up distributor, yes, clockwise rotation (yes Y blocks, are counter clockwise rotation) The rotor clip is the same for both.

Y block on the left, 53 Merc on the right and bottom.

 

[Daves55Sedan]

the rotor moves back and forth a good inch.

I hope not. If it really did, that means the distributor shaft is at least half worn away.
Getting a new rotor clip with the tab aimed upward will help to remove some slop between dizzy shaft and rotor (but to the tune of about 1/16 inch or less. An old clip can be repaired and re-stressed.
Notice: The reproduction '54/55/56 distributor caps are made of a substandard material and are a very tight fit on the distributor, but they also tend to SHRINK due to heat and become even tighter so that it is difficult to get the cap aligned with the slot in the top of the dizzy housing.
The repro rotors available for these don't have the rounded edges on the rotor contact tip which swings into contact with the dizzy cap towers like the OEM rotors did, thus they are much less tolerant of slop in the dizzy shaft or rotor. If there is excessive slop, the rotor will break off the dizzy shaft inside the dizzy cap upon attempting to start the engine.
The new rotors that I have received, I have filed down the edge of the rotor tip to match the radius of and old OEM rotor to prevent any problem. It is best to get a short piece of copper tubing and some electroplating acid to re-plate the filed corner of the rotor with copper, or else it will corrode very quickly in areas of high humidity.
If you have way too much slop in the distributor shaft, you will need a new shaft bushing. I think they are still available from repro parts suppliers.

 

[rocket1]

not mirror images. They are from my 53' merc back up distributor, yes, clockwise rotation (yes y blocks, are counter clockwise rotation) the rotor clip is the same for both.

Y block on the left, 53 merc on the right and bottom.

i see how the clip goes the only problem i have is that the grove in the dist. Shaft is to narrow for the clip to fit in and the rotor would not slide down onto the clip,to tight.i either have the wrong clip wrong rotor or both.are there different size clips? I got frustrated and mounted the clip with the tang facing down and pressed the rotor on the dist. Shaft.the mtr. Runs well but the rotor will be a problem if you have to change it someday.

 

[Daves55Sedan]

If you try to put the clip on upside down, the rotor won't go on, because the clip hooks are in the way. With the hooks facing down, the bottom of the rotor is well clear of the hooks.
Even if those hooks weren't there, and you could put the rotor on with the clip upside down, you would not have the advantage of the bump-out in the tab to keep the rotor on tight to the dizzy shaft.

 

[ms fowler]

What was the reason for the clip in the first place? Knowing of Henry Ford's obsession with eliminating non-essential parts and reducing the number of bolts to a minimum, I wonder if the design culture at FoMoCo had changed than much after his death.

 

[rocket1]

what was the reason for the clip in the first place? Knowing of henry ford's obsession with eliminating non-essential parts and reducing the number of bolts to a minimum, i wonder if the design culture at fomoco had changed than much after his death.

it does not make sense i never had an engine or owned a car where you needed a metal clip to hold the rotor tight on the dist.shaft! It is possible that the same rotor will fit other dist.that do not require a clip.

 

[KULTULZ]

... it does not make sense i never had an engine or owned a car where you needed a metal clip to hold the rotor tight on the dist.shaft! It is possible that the same rotor will fit other dist.that do not require a clip.

Are you sure you have the correct rotor?

It may be the rotor itself is incorrect (or poorly made).

On the DIST BOWL should be ID NOS. Can you post them?