How much play in distributor shaft is ok?

28Annie

28Annie

Member
I haven't been able to get my car started & just noticed that there's about 3/16" of vertical play with my distributor shaft. Is that considered excessive?
 
It's the horizontal play to be concerned with. I would not go with more than around .002" to .004". The less the better to obtain an equal point gap. There must be sufficient clearance for lubrication.
 
Sounds like the lower pinned on distributor collar is loose or has failed. It could have somehow sheared the pin. That would explain no start, timing is now off. I would check the upper dist. shaft for lack of lube. A very slight amount of vertical play is all there should be. Enough for shaft to easily rotate. Do you know how to pull the distributor? If not, refer to a reference book, or post again for help.
 
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For sure the distributor needs to be rebuilt. The pin ONLY holds the coupling collar in place and has no effect on rotational play, but does limit the up and down play.

If you grab the top of the distributor shaft and push it back and forth sideways, you should not feel any play. Any noticable side play will let the points open at inconsistent timing.
 
The play is only in the vertical direction so I'll try pulling the distributor and rebuilding it. Thanks for the feedback everyone.
 
sounds like some thrust washers are missing or the pin has come out or missing letting the shaft come off the sleeve that connects the upper to the lower shaft.
 
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