Thread: Side to side play in distributor normal?

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Forgive me all if I have asked this before but somtimes it's easier to ask again...

If it matters, we are talking about a MkIV BBC, aftermarket Wieand Stealth dp intake, and aftermarket HEI distributor.

When the distributor is set in place, hold down clamp not tightened, how much shaft side-to-side play (if any) is normal if you grab it by the cap and push it back and forth? The bottom of the cap will move (guessing) about 1/4" so what ever movement that translates to at the intake (1/8" of shaft side-to-side play at the gasket?). Havent measured it but it does seem excessive to me. What could this mean? Shaft too long and distributor not seating? Need to double up on the gasket? Is there an o-ring or something that I forgot to install?

The bottom end where the gear is seems to fit/mesh nicely. It's the wobble on the top that concerns me. -Thanks

It is a fresh build and I am planning on firing it saturday...

No !, it should be a snug fit, either it is worn or machined wrong.

As above
NO PLAY

great....

Suggestions on how to analyze this problem to determine a course of action?

First I'd pull the dist. mic. the base and see what it is. Then get a none good one and see the diff. You could measure the bore it goes in and compare that to a none good one If you don't have good ones I can go measure mine as I have some on the shelf
Charlie

Thanks Charlie.

Yes, can you provide me a good reference measurement?

Is it possible that it is not seated all the way?

If you look at the distributor and the locking ring has a gap under it then its not down. Have you run this engine since the work has been done. The dist. may be sitting on top the oil pump shaft and not down around it.

I measured 4 distributors all came up 1.250. I measures 3 intakes (small block but should be same) 1.375. that makes your clearance .0625 per side or .125 side to side. Time the distributor is all the way down in the engine it has other bores it lines up in there is very little play if any at all. If you are all the way down I'd check the bores in the block as the intake realy isn't what it matches up to.

no, it is a fresh build, all new parts...I will inspect it more closely this evening and see if it is not seating all the way or if it is a mismatch in sizes, and get back with you.

THANKS!

-Kevin

If you haven't run it yet I'd bet its sitting on the pump rod. If thats it you can either pull the dist. out and turn the pump with a long screwdriver to line it up or hold down on it while the engine is being cranked (no power to dist. while cranking you don't want it starting,) it will drop in when it lines up then put on the hold down.

Another critical issue is that when the distributor is tight, and you have the cap off, you should not be able to move the shaft noticeably. I had one wear out, and this causes the points setting on older distributors to constantly be changing. It won't run worth a damn!

this is the last time I let a mopar guy install a distributor for me....

that person knows who they are...

kidding! mopars are cool too and I appreciate the help

True, I am a mopar guy now. Mostly because that is what I have now. I have stabbed plenty of chebby distributors. Cut me a little slack over here Mr. Cayne........ I am sure the distributor is not sitting on the pump shaft. I took care to ensure that the pump shaft was lined up. If this was mis-aligned, the distributor wouldn't seat all the way down on the intake. You may have a problem, but I don't think that is it. If you want, I can bring over a "dummy" distributor. At least you will know if your shaft is too small.........

If you are talking about the distributor housing sitting all the way down on the intake all but that last 1/16 or less and the whole thing wobbling back and forth ,then you need a thicker distributor gaskett.If you are talking about the rotor shaft moving back and forth inside the distributor housing,then the distributor is worn out and needs rebuilt.

Shawnlee,
I think Cayne (correct me if I am wrong) is talking about a little side to side movement with the distributor fully seated on the intake. The distributor is new. (which doesn't necessarily mean it is without fault, i suppose)