Installing new Distributor Bushings ????

I

IndyA

Member
Friends.. Watched two YouTube videos on rebuilding Model A Distributors... removing the old bushings is simple ........neither gives much information on the Installation process for the new replacements. One mentions using a vice but that's about all that was said or shown. I have plenty of C Clamps; Parallel Clamps in a woodworks vice but I can't figure out how to use these and mount them so as to not interfere with the installation tool.

Can I use the old upper shaft (with the collar at the top-end) to be the "Pusher"??? Of put a washer on the top end of the old shaft to provide more bushing surface to press the new bushing in.

Your collective wisdom's would be appreciated ... and any photo's drawings also would be helpful....Thank you
 
IndyA said:
Friends.. Watched two YouTube videos on rebuilding Model A Distributors... removing the old bushings is simple ........neither gives much information on the Installation process for the new replacements. One mentions using a vice but that's about all that was said or shown. I have plenty of C Clamps; Parallel Clamps in a woodworks vice but I can't figure out how to use these and mount them so as to not interfere with the installation tool.

Can I use the old upper shaft (with the collar at the top-end) to be the "Pusher"??? Of put a washer on the top end of the old shaft to provide more bushing surface to press the new bushing in.

Your collective wisdom's would be appreciated ... and any photo's drawings also would be helpful....Thank you
Click to expand...

I’ve used an old upper shaft a number of times and simply tapped the new bushings in place. It’s easy to break the lower part of the distributor off, so care is needed.
 
You need to support the housing very well to avoid cracking the distributor. I have seen many with a small crack arouns the upper shaft bushing area. I have also seen the bottom half completely cracked out!!!
 
IndyA said:
Friends.. Watched two YouTube videos on rebuilding Model A Distributors... removing the old bushings is simple ........neither gives much information on the Installation process for the new replacements. One mentions using a vice but that's about all that was said or shown. I have plenty of C Clamps; Parallel Clamps in a woodworks vice but I can't figure out how to use these and mount them so as to not interfere with the installation tool.

Can I use the old upper shaft (with the collar at the top-end) to be the "Pusher"??? Of put a washer on the top end of the old shaft to provide more bushing surface to press the new bushing in.

Your collective wisdom's would be appreciated ... and any photo's drawings also would be helpful....Thank you
Click to expand...

Very simple solution: You need a 5/16 bolt or threaded rod that is long enough to pass through the distributor plus the length of two bushings. put a washer or a washer and nut at both ends of the of the threaded rod. If a bolt is used use a washer at the bolt head and a washer and nut at the other end. Make sure the bore in the distributer for the bushings are clean. put the bolt with one washer and bushing and pass the rod or bolt through distributor and put another washer and nut on that end ( do one bushing at a time) oil the bushing and slowly tighten the nut. check the (alignment of the bushing) To finish the job you will have to ream the bushings with a reamer that both Bratton's or Snyder's sells.
 
IndyA said:
Friends.. Watched two YouTube videos on rebuilding Model A Distributors... removing the old bushings is simple ........neither gives much information on the Installation process for the new replacements. One mentions using a vice but that's about all that was said or shown. I have plenty of C Clamps; Parallel Clamps in a woodworks vice but I can't figure out how to use these and mount them so as to not interfere with the installation tool.

Can I use the old upper shaft (with the collar at the top-end) to be the "Pusher"??? Of put a washer on the top end of the old shaft to provide more bushing surface to press the new bushing in.

Your collective wisdom's would be appreciated ... and any photo's drawings also would be helpful....Thank you
Click to expand...

Very simple: You need the following: A 5/16” bolt or threaded rod that is long enough to pass through two bushings and the distributor bore, two washers and nuts. Put a washer and bushing on one end and pass it through the distributor and put a washer and nut on. Make sure distributor bore is clean, oil bushing (do one at a time) slowly tighten nut. Make sure bushing is in straight aliment with bore as you tighten nut. Repeat the process for the second bushing. The last step is to ream the bushing. A distributor reamer can be purchased from Bratton’s or Snyder’s.
 
Many Thanks to all Responders , especially Tom Endy, Chris & Sofield. Regarding the "Threaded Rod" method - From the You Tube Videos I got the impression that it was very important to do one bushing at a time using a shaft (maybe an old one) to keep the bushings aligned with one another. I'm not to sure this is a important requirement as the bore walls of the distributor would, I'd think, assure alignment and the reaming process would assure "alignment" Would love to hear your continued thoughts.
 
There's another trick to installing bushings. Whenever I install bushings (and bearing races, too) I put them into the freezer for a couple of hours beforehand. Yes, the shrinkage is minimal, but every little bit helps. Dry ice is even better. (Used to be you could squirt the bushings from a cheap can of Freon to chill them down, but no longer...)

For distributors, I have an old upper shaft that I use. Remove and reinsert one bushing at a time so that when you press the new one in you have the old bushing to guide you. Then pull the other and use your newly-installed other new bushing to guide.

JayJay
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top