SteveG75

So, I have been chasing a little timing issue and ended up determining that my distributor gear had some wear in it.

My setup is a Fast XFI Dual Sync Distributor with a Comp Cams composite distributor gear. So, got my new composite distributor gear today. For those that are unfamiliar, the composite gear only has one hole drilled so you have to fit the gear to the shaft and then drill the second hole with a 3/16" bit.

When I finished drilling the hole, I had to remove gear to set the end play. I noticed that the hole in the shaft looked like it was slightly elongated in the vertical dimension (up and down the shaft). I noticed that the roll pin would now drop into the shaft slightly.

I finished the install, and the car runs great but now I am worried that the pin is not supported over its entire length. It would suck to have the pin the holds the gear to the distributor shaft shear.

Of course, I don't remember what the hole in the distributor shaft looked like before I had to drill the new gear.

Additional info. Just pulled the car apart again. Pin is 7/8" long. Pin will slip in one side almost 1/8" and other side ~3/16". So that is ~5/16" worth of the 1/2" diameter shaft where the pin is not tight. Pin is tight in the distributor gear.

Did I just make a $345 (new distributor) mistake?

SteveG75

Pics:

SteveG75

Pics of pin in hole, note "countersink" area:

mikem350

Maybe I am not getting what the problem is, but,

The pin should be a TIGHT fit. If one side is loose, maybe you could "unroll" the pin slightly....

Or try a new pin....

TimAT

The shaft is drilled with a lead-in for the roll pin. It'd be really tough to install the gear and then the pin if it was a straight drilled hole.

SteveG75

Tim,

Thanks. I did check my old HEI and it does not have much of a lead in if any at all. Engine is a 496 BBC with HV/HP pump (per builders recommendation) so I am sure there is a fair amount of load on that pin.

Steve

mikem350

Well, at this point, to minimize the load, use a 5W-30 or similar.