distributor warped
06-08-2013, 07:03 PM
#1
Drifting
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distributor warped
I've been having problems with my 67 since getting back on the road, I decided to bring the car to a guy who works for Hendrix performance finally I think its in good hands. They had to rebuild the carbs plus they found a warped dist. How the heck does the dist. get warped? Well the dist is getting rebuilt then I hope my baby is back on the road.
06-09-2013, 10:55 AM
#4
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Assuming the above theory were true, I can't see any way for the damage to occur without someone or something putting significant weight or pressure on one edge of the rotor with the cap off. Perhaps someone placed their hand on top of the rotor while leaning over the engine? Seems that would not be enough to warp though.
06-09-2013, 11:38 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
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I don't think putting pressure on the cap would warp anything permanently
But, it can easily cause the rotor tip to break when hit by the cap while the engine is running.
Happens sometimes on C1s when the ignition shielding pushes on the distributor cap.
But, it can easily cause the rotor tip to break when hit by the cap while the engine is running.
Happens sometimes on C1s when the ignition shielding pushes on the distributor cap.
06-09-2013, 11:38 AM
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The only thing I can envision, is the rotor/football area of the distributor getting bent so that as it rotates it appears to wobble. If it were bent such that the rotor tip was further away from the plug wire terminals in the distributor cap I imagine the spark would be weakened.
Assuming the above theory were true, I can't see any way for the damage to occur without someone or something putting significant weight or pressure on one edge of the rotor with the cap off. Perhaps someone placed their hand on top of the rotor while leaning over the engine? Seems that would not be enough to warp though.
Assuming the above theory were true, I can't see any way for the damage to occur without someone or something putting significant weight or pressure on one edge of the rotor with the cap off. Perhaps someone placed their hand on top of the rotor while leaning over the engine? Seems that would not be enough to warp though.
06-09-2013, 11:38 AM
#7
Drifting
The only thing I can envision, is the rotor/football area of the distributor getting bent so that as it rotates it appears to wobble. If it were bent such that the rotor tip was further away from the plug wire terminals in the distributor cap I imagine the spark would be weakened.
Assuming the above theory were true, I can't see any way for the damage to occur without someone or something putting significant weight or pressure on one edge of the rotor with the cap off. Perhaps someone placed their hand on top of the rotor while leaning over the engine? Seems that would not be enough to warp though.
Assuming the above theory were true, I can't see any way for the damage to occur without someone or something putting significant weight or pressure on one edge of the rotor with the cap off. Perhaps someone placed their hand on top of the rotor while leaning over the engine? Seems that would not be enough to warp though.
Dave
06-09-2013, 11:44 AM
#8
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Not cap, rotor.
I'm just postulating here anyway, but my thought was if they put pressure on the rotor at or near one of the 2 mounting screws, then the top of the distributor shaft would bear the weight and not the rotor.
In any event, it seems unlikely that a person could bend the top of the distributor shaft in this way.
I'm just trying to understand what it means to have a warped distributor.
I'm just postulating here anyway, but my thought was if they put pressure on the rotor at or near one of the 2 mounting screws, then the top of the distributor shaft would bear the weight and not the rotor.
In any event, it seems unlikely that a person could bend the top of the distributor shaft in this way.
I'm just trying to understand what it means to have a warped distributor.
06-09-2013, 11:54 AM
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06-09-2013, 11:56 AM
#10
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That's why I'm hoping the OP will offer some details on what a warped distributor is.
06-09-2013, 12:59 PM
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I have seen, and at one time owned, bent distributor main shafts.
The one I recall was damaged by improper storage (something heavy was put on it).
It would fit in the distributor, but it was very hard to rotate, and you could see the side to side movement when you rotated the distributor.
That is the only "warped distributor" condition that I can think ot.
The one I recall was damaged by improper storage (something heavy was put on it).
It would fit in the distributor, but it was very hard to rotate, and you could see the side to side movement when you rotated the distributor.
That is the only "warped distributor" condition that I can think ot.
06-09-2013, 01:18 PM
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Have seen a bent dist. housing due to not properly supporting the bottom of the engine, while removing the trans, and letting the dist. hit the firewall when the engine dropped - this was on a "steel" street rod. Yes, cap was cracked too.........
The OP needs to find out exactly what is "warped".
Plasticman
The OP needs to find out exactly what is "warped".
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 06-09-2013 at 01:20 PM.
06-09-2013, 04:26 PM
#14
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06-09-2013, 06:49 PM
#15
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warp
[wawrp]
verb (used with object)
1. to bend or twist out of shape, especially from a straight or flat form, as timbers or flooring.
2. to bend or turn from the natural or true direction or course.
3. to distort or cause to distort from the truth, fact, true meaning, etc.; bias; falsify: Prejudice warps the mind.
Or else the car was caught in a flood and the distributor warped when it dried.....see definition 1 above.
Maybe the mechanic is related to Frank Gorshin.
[wawrp]
verb (used with object)
1. to bend or twist out of shape, especially from a straight or flat form, as timbers or flooring.
2. to bend or turn from the natural or true direction or course.
3. to distort or cause to distort from the truth, fact, true meaning, etc.; bias; falsify: Prejudice warps the mind.
Or else the car was caught in a flood and the distributor warped when it dried.....see definition 1 above.
Maybe the mechanic is related to Frank Gorshin.
06-09-2013, 07:15 PM
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Have seen a bent dist. housing due to not properly supporting the bottom of the engine, while removing the trans, and letting the dist. hit the firewall when the engine dropped - this was on a "steel" street rod. Yes, cap was cracked too.........
The OP needs to find out exactly what is "warped".
Plasticman
The OP needs to find out exactly what is "warped".
Plasticman
06-09-2013, 07:23 PM
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06-09-2013, 08:34 PM
#18
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so the car has been off the road since 1977 in restoration, finally got her on the road but was having carb and timing problems every time I drove her. I had her out for about an hour and the car went completely out of time and the tach started bouncing all over the place. The tach drive gears were stripped out from the shaft not being straight. I have no ideal how this happens the parts have been on a shelf for 30 plus years.
06-09-2013, 08:50 PM
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so the car has been off the road since 1977 in restoration, finally got her on the road but was having carb and timing problems every time I drove her. I had her out for about an hour and the car went completely out of time and the tach started bouncing all over the place. The tach drive gears were stripped out from the shaft not being straight. I have no ideal how this happens the parts have been on a shelf for 30 plus years.
