Loose Distributor Housing

B

BBQBOB

Junior Member
My distributor housing is loose in the head. It can't only wobble side to side but also rotates slightly. How can I tighten the slop up? I believe the slop will affect the timing. I don't want to tighten the set-screw too much.
The internal bushings are in good shape. My issue is the outside casting of the distruburtor to the head. Maybe I should add some shim-stock around the distributor to tighten up the slop. Your comments would be appreciated. Bob
 
Tighten the set screw just until the distributor sets firm. You could add a couple drops of lock tight to any slop or the pin to head under the unit.
 
This is the location of the set screw......I had the same problem....
 

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As a quick "fix", "maybe" just clean the dist & the bore, a smear of RTV on the dist & let it set up before running it????
Bill W.
 
Make sure the paint isn't too thick on the cylinder head and on the distributer body. Paint too thick will prevent the distributer from seating fully in the head, and the set screw won't mesh up with the groove in the distributer body as it should.

You mentioned it rotates slightly. Does your distributer body have the little pin that slides into the small hole in the head?
 
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Center punch head bore a dozen times around the bore? I have never done this to a model a head! I have used metal tape around bearings to make them fit bores tighter but never on model a's just a thought! Could be time for a new hi compression head-Christmas is around the corner :-)
 
Be careful with the RTV approach because the distributor gets its ground thru the cylinder head. I had my distributor give me trouble because I had poured oil thru the hole and the oil was preventing the distributor from getting a good ground. I wiped out the excess oil and retightened the screw and it functioned properly after that.
 
Bud said:
Be careful with the RTV approach because the distributor gets its ground thru the cylinder head. I had my distributor give me trouble because I had poured oil thru the hole and the oil was preventing the distributor from getting a good ground. I wiped out the excess oil and retightened the screw and it functioned properly after that.
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It also grounds through the spark rod, Bud,
Had a dist out once, hooked up the spark rod & the points sparked:eek:
Bud, I LOVE your Avatar Pic ! I still have the pic you posted, with it "driving" through the grass, on your way to "GET SUMBODY A MUCH NEEDED PART" ! !:)
Bill W.
 
Big hammer said:
Center punch head bore a dozen times around the bore? I have never done this to a model a head! I have used metal tape around bearings to make them fit bores tighter but never on model a's just a thought! Could be time for a new hi compression head-Christmas is around the corner :-)
Click to expand...
Dog:cool: here,
Duz SANTA offer "FREE" SHIPPING?:confused: And AIR EXPRESS?
Buster T.:cool:
 
Check the index pin which sticks out the bottom of the distributor and fits into a hole in the head. This is what should keep the housing from rotating. For reference, see Snyder's part no. A-12128.

W. Michael
 
There may be a possibility the distributor housing is cracked and broken from the lower portion that mounts in the head . If its rotating it is either up to high and not seated in the head or the pin that protrudes to the head when fully seated . if the pin is broken or previously ground off, or the casting is broken as I stated above . Inspect closely at the head and you should be able to see if its in tact or not

Larry Shepard
 
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