Distributor rebuild
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Celina, TX
Distributor rebuild
I am in the process of rebuilding my distributor.
The lubrication for the upper shaft bushing has me a bit confused.
As I took everything apart the stuff under the plastic washer looked
something like oiled sawdust or Bubba's left over chewing tobacco.
What should I use for lubrication?
The lubrication for the upper shaft bushing has me a bit confused.
As I took everything apart the stuff under the plastic washer looked
something like oiled sawdust or Bubba's left over chewing tobacco.
What should I use for lubrication?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
According to Dave Fiedler, who is very well known for his distributor repairs/restorations:
Repack the upper oil well (cavity surrounding upper bearing) with an oil absorbent material; a folded 3”x 3” piece of gauze is suitable.
Saturate the packing with oil (20wt. non-detergent motor oil is preferred). Note: Due to contamination, I do not attempt to use the saw dust like material that was originally packed in the well.
Install a new plastic seal (still available from GM under part number 1950569 for 10-pack) in the counterbore above the oil well and then position the felt washer on top of the seal. Saturate the felt with 20wt. oil.
Repack the upper oil well (cavity surrounding upper bearing) with an oil absorbent material; a folded 3”x 3” piece of gauze is suitable.
Saturate the packing with oil (20wt. non-detergent motor oil is preferred). Note: Due to contamination, I do not attempt to use the saw dust like material that was originally packed in the well.
Install a new plastic seal (still available from GM under part number 1950569 for 10-pack) in the counterbore above the oil well and then position the felt washer on top of the seal. Saturate the felt with 20wt. oil.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Mustang OK
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A 3x3 piece of gause????????? REALLY? Now I haven't heard that one before. But for years I have wondered what was suitable to use to replace that packing. Actually, I've been packing my distributors with heavy chassis grease. So far, no problems. But on the other hand, I haven't found anyone to dispute the use of using heavy grease.
How about an opinion from Lars? Or anyone else?
How about an opinion from Lars? Or anyone else?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 27
From: St. Joseph Mo
Actually I think fine sawdust would work better than gause. 
I salvaged the 'packing' material on the last one I did. Added more from another junk dist. Oiled it with some chainsaw bar & chain oil.
I salvaged the 'packing' material on the last one I did. Added more from another junk dist. Oiled it with some chainsaw bar & chain oil.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
A 3x3 piece of gause????????? REALLY? Now I haven't heard that one before. But for years I have wondered what was suitable to use to replace that packing. Actually, I've been packing my distributors with heavy chassis grease. So far, no problems. But on the other hand, I haven't found anyone to dispute the use of using heavy grease.
How about an opinion from Lars? Or anyone else?
How about an opinion from Lars? Or anyone else?
Lots of miles with no problems, but then I have a roller bearing on my tach gear and a bronze thrust washer (button) on the nose end on the tach gear to keep the temp of the distributor low. Before I did that the distributor got hot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
hey, I was just passing on the info as I found it........ Dave has a good reputation for distributor repair/restoration so I'd have no reason to doubt his method but as always there are others ways that work also.
If interested, here is a link to his own article on restoring '62-'72 tach drive distributors and where he mentions the gauze.
http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article6.htm
If interested, here is a link to his own article on restoring '62-'72 tach drive distributors and where he mentions the gauze.
http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article6.htm
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,475
Likes: 81
From: Ontario Canada Ontario Canada
hey, I was just passing on the info as I found it........ Dave has a good reputation for distributor repair/restoration so I'd have no reason to doubt his method but as always there are others ways that work also.
If interested, here is a link to his own article on restoring '62-'72 tach drive distributors and where he mentions the gauze.
http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article6.htm
If interested, here is a link to his own article on restoring '62-'72 tach drive distributors and where he mentions the gauze.
http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article6.htm
