distributor lube; how???
- Thread starter atch
- Start date
nkaminar
Well-known member
Put some light grease on the cam for the points. You can buy a special grease for that. There is an oil port on the side of the distributor that takes some oil. You pull it out to expose the hole for the oil to go into. You can buy a special screw that secures the cam that has a hole drilled through it or you can modify the existing screw. That is an easier place to add oil than the port on the side. This is regular maintenance, about every 500 miles.
That procedure lubricates the distributor. Oil splashes up from below to lubricate the lower shaft and gear and associated parts.
That procedure lubricates the distributor. Oil splashes up from below to lubricate the lower shaft and gear and associated parts.
Unless I’m mistaken, the drilled cam screw that NK describes must be coupled to an upper distributor shaft that has also been drilled to allow the oil that you add to leave the shaft and flow into the bushing. This modification is one well worth making to any stock distributor other than one on a fine points car.
Even if you have this modified upper shaft and screw installed, you should also lube through the oiler to get the lower bushing as well. Use a light oil such as 3-in-1. I use TriFlow as my go-to light oil lube.
When you use the oiler, watch to make sure that the oil flows out of the little cup. I’ve seen several older distributors where the oiler or (more commonly) the passageway through the distributor body has gotten crudded up, I’m guessing from someone overzealously greasing the shaft in the past. If that happens you need to remove and disassemble the distributor, clean out the passageway, and likely replace the oiler when you reassemble.
Even if you have this modified upper shaft and screw installed, you should also lube through the oiler to get the lower bushing as well. Use a light oil such as 3-in-1. I use TriFlow as my go-to light oil lube.
When you use the oiler, watch to make sure that the oil flows out of the little cup. I’ve seen several older distributors where the oiler or (more commonly) the passageway through the distributor body has gotten crudded up, I’m guessing from someone overzealously greasing the shaft in the past. If that happens you need to remove and disassemble the distributor, clean out the passageway, and likely replace the oiler when you reassemble.
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midgetracer
Well-known member
You are right Jay Jay. you must have the drilled shaft as well as the screw to get oil to the top bushing.
Kurt in NJ
Well-known member
If it is oiled according to the owners instructions the top bushing will get oiled— most distributors just get a few drops, the model A gets it filled so I take the pump oil can and stick the nozzle in the hole and give it a couple pumps.
If you are worried about getting a little oil on the head put a rag under the oiler.
If you are worried about getting a little oil on the head put a rag under the oiler.