Distributor Shaft Conversion

Henry's Lady's Man

Henry's Lady's Man

Senior Member
Rebuilt Distributor; I want to use OEM two-piece shaft to replace One-Piece shaft on old distributor.
Can I use the old sleeve and pin from atop the one-piece shaft on the upper/lower shaft junction? Chuck
 
I don't REALLY know?? I have a great working one piece dist, but never UN-PINNED the shaft from the distributor. I feel they're OK, if the shaft runs VERY TRUE.
Bill W.
 
Yes, but it's unlikely after 80+ years that you'll be able to drive the pin out intact and re-use it. Most people just drill out the pin and re-use the collar with a new pin. If enough up and down wear has occurred and I don't plan to re-use the collar (which is usually cruddy and deteriorated), I simply cut the shaft between the collar and the distributor body. Then the remains of the shaft can be withdrawn from the top.
To be safe, plan on ordering or making a new pin to stake the collar in place on your new upper distributor shaft.
Marshall
 
I did the same conversion and I was able to drive the pin out and use the original sleeve.

Good luck
 
I always suggest the upper shaft with the oiling hole. The upper bushing is usually starved for oil and I have seen them seize up and sheer off the tang on the shaft. The oiling hole at the top allows you to lubricate the upper bushing, the oiling unit on the distributor housing takes care of the lower one. I did a You Tube video on distributor rebuilding. youtube.com/modelatimes
 
OK, thanks for all the good responses. It's a cheap item. I'll just get a new sleeve and pin. I already have the lower shaft.
Also, I was confused about the upper shaft. I thought the upper shaft connected th the bottom of the distributor, and then a lower one. I'm pretty sure now that the "upper shaft" is INSIDE THE BODY of the distributor, and is the shaft you see from the top. (I didn't know how to unpost a stupid question), but I got more info than I bargained for. Again, thanks! - Chuck
 
Thanks for the pix. Now I can pull my distributor again (1 piece shaft) and see what it looks like... then take my rebuilt carb and lower shaft piece and see if I can get it on.
The lower shaft just has the offset slots in both ends. When I push it into the distributor body, there doesn't seem to be any way to secure it. I can push it up against the pin in the collar at the bottom of the distributer, but it just falls off. It has no hole to receive the pin. What am I missing here? Is there yet another piece to put in between? (Please don't laugh too loud. I'm still learning).
 
You need to slip the lower shaft into the head and rotate it with a screwdriver until it drops into the drive gear, then set the distributor doen into the head and rotate the cam until the distributor slot lines up. Then you have to set the timing.
 
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