Distributor Maintenance Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 14
From: South Florida
Distributor Maintenance Question
Factory stock HEI on 1979 L48.
What maintenance would one typically do to the distributor during a normal tune-up or other scheduled maintenance? I have already changed plugs and wires back to original AC Delco. I have a feeling my distributor needs some attention since it looks as though it has not been touched in a long time as I have all the maintenance records for the car and I can't find where any service was ever done to the distributor - after 72k miles. I would say the car runs well but it seems there might be a slight miss. Timing is set right per Lars Timing Technical Document. Since I have new wires and plugs I am thinking distributor might not be happy. Is it time for cap and rotor?? Original AC Delco parts? Anything else I should do to it?
Thoughts or input??
What maintenance would one typically do to the distributor during a normal tune-up or other scheduled maintenance? I have already changed plugs and wires back to original AC Delco. I have a feeling my distributor needs some attention since it looks as though it has not been touched in a long time as I have all the maintenance records for the car and I can't find where any service was ever done to the distributor - after 72k miles. I would say the car runs well but it seems there might be a slight miss. Timing is set right per Lars Timing Technical Document. Since I have new wires and plugs I am thinking distributor might not be happy. Is it time for cap and rotor?? Original AC Delco parts? Anything else I should do to it?
Thoughts or input??
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
I replace the cap and rotor and part of a tune up. Make sure your vacuum advance is working properly. Use dielectric grease on the spark plug boots. Route spark plug wires so they don't touch. How did the old spark plugs look when you removed them? A slight miss can be the symptom of a whole bunch of different problems.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 14
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by rcread
I replace the cap and rotor and part of a tune up. Make sure your vacuum advance is working properly. Use dielectric grease on the spark plug boots. Route spark plug wires so they don't touch. How did the old spark plugs look when you removed them? A slight miss can be the symptom of a whole bunch of different problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by Eric79-L48
Factory stock HEI on 1979 L48.
What maintenance would one typically do to the distributor during a normal tune-up or other scheduled maintenance? I have already changed plugs and wires back to original AC Delco. I have a feeling my distributor needs some attention since it looks as though it has not been touched in a long time as I have all the maintenance records for the car and I can't find where any service was ever done to the distributor - after 72k miles. I would say the car runs well but it seems there might be a slight miss. Timing is set right per Lars Timing Technical Document. Since I have new wires and plugs I am thinking distributor might not be happy. Is it time for cap and rotor?? Original AC Delco parts? Anything else I should do to it?
Thoughts or input??
What maintenance would one typically do to the distributor during a normal tune-up or other scheduled maintenance? I have already changed plugs and wires back to original AC Delco. I have a feeling my distributor needs some attention since it looks as though it has not been touched in a long time as I have all the maintenance records for the car and I can't find where any service was ever done to the distributor - after 72k miles. I would say the car runs well but it seems there might be a slight miss. Timing is set right per Lars Timing Technical Document. Since I have new wires and plugs I am thinking distributor might not be happy. Is it time for cap and rotor?? Original AC Delco parts? Anything else I should do to it?
Thoughts or input??
Also take a look at the advance springs, and if you listen to some of the other memebrs distributor end play is something to be checked
tim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 14
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by sweethence
Also take a look at the advance springs, and if you listen to some of the other memebrs distributor end play is something to be checked
tim
tim
that I am NOT an ignition expert, when you say "take a look at the advance springs" and "distributor end play" what do you mean exactly?? 
I mean what am I looking for in both cases?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Also blow the dust & rust out of dist & weights & springs w/ compressed air ... mist weights & springs w/ WD40. Pull coil out and check underneath for any corrosion/water. Check vac advance can for leaks. Install new cap & rotor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by Eric79-L48
Assuming just for fun that I am NOT an ignition expert, when you say "take a look at the advance springs" and "distributor end play" what do you mean exactly?? I mean what am I looking for in both cases?
that I am NOT an ignition expert, when you say "take a look at the advance springs" and "distributor end play" what do you mean exactly?? I mean what am I looking for in both cases?OOPs sorry
inside the dristributer is a plate that rotates as the distributor advances the timing. there is a set of springs tht controls the rate of turn when the vacuum "advaces" the timing with engine speed. these speings get old an wear just like anything else. and you can either replace with stock springs, or "stiffen" or "loosen" the spring rates to bring in the timing sooner or later.
end play is based upon the fact that if you were to hold a distributor n your hand, and you can slide the shaft a lit bit up an down paralell to its axis. this is known as end play. the idea is you wan the distributor gear to mesh with the cam gear precisley, and it being to high or to low can impact your distributors performance. if it is off a little you remedy this by using shims that raise the height of the distributor at the point where it goes into the intake
Also look at the vacuum can itself, does it look rusted? does it move freely? this can also be replaced with stock or aftermarket
cheers
hope thats a better explanation
tim
Last edited by sweethence; Mar 6, 2006 at 03:48 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by jackson
End play is adjusted by shim(s) in between dist gear & dist body ... you have to pull gear off shaft to do this.
Right, I was giving the shade tree fix
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
there's a way to check end play on your dist. in the car...take your timing light and point at your timing mark. if your timing mark jumps as opposed to being steady. you likely have end play in your distributor