Distributor shaft is dry and rusting

Ross/Kzoo

Ross/Kzoo

Well-known member
I pulled the distributor and there looked to be no oil getting to any of the distributor shaft and in fact a little rusting. How is the shaft lubricated (other than the oiling fitting) and wher might something be plugged? TIA
 
When I took my engine back down after only running it about an hour, I was amazed at how difficult it was to turn the distributor. I had greased it before assembly with new parts and some assembly lube originally, and it was almost seized when I took it out. I probably had the bushing too tight, but I could easily turn it by hand when It first went in. Clearly the upper bushing needs attention, as it will not get lubed by the engine. I recently saw in the catalogs that you can get an upper shaft that is drilled along with a cam screw with a hole in the top, so it can easily be lubed. The side oilers leave something to be desired.
 
The drilled screw and shaft work great. Russ you did have one of the bushings to tight. We did a distributor garage day a couple of years ago and 3 blocks away we had one guy snap the new shaft because it seized and that one felt good when it was put in the truck. So you have to have a feel for how much you need to ream the bushings.
 
Not unusual, moisture from combustion tends to collect at the high point in the engine, the upper valve chamber ultimately the distributor base. I grease the shaft and the distributor base before installing,the PCV valve installed in the top center of the valve cover removes the combustion by products.

A's Always
Dave
 
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