How hard is a ...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada
How hard is a ...
distributor rebuild. I just pulled mine apart and its toast. Lower bushing is scoured, tach drive shot, main shaft scoured,(grindings from tach drive) and I would say the upper bushing will need to go to. My main concern is getting bushings in and out, is this something that can be done on my workbench. Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
Getting them out is pretty easy with a long brass punch and hammer. Installing is a bit trickier. The O.D. of the new bushings is oversize and you'll need to machine the O.D. to fit your housing. The Vette suppliers sell an installation tool to drive them in, but if the O.D. is too large, you'll either split the housing or compress the I.D. of the bushing and the shaft won't fit. You need to machine the O.D. to within about .003-.004 of the housing I.D. The first one I did, I made a tool to hold the bushing so I could chuck it in a drill press. While it spun, I used a file to remove the O.D. Buy a good quality micrometer and extra bushings, because you'll mess up at least the first pair. Drive the bushings in place with the shaft inserted so the bushings will be aligned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by 72350auto
distributor rebuild. I just pulled mine apart and its toast. Lower bushing is scoured, tach drive shot, main shaft scoured,(grindings from tach drive) and I would say the upper bushing will need to go to. My main concern is getting bushings in and out, is this something that can be done on my workbench. Thanks in advance.
http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article6.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by Maymyvetteliveforevr
That's great site, is there one for HEI?
HEI is usually "electronically challenged".
I'm also rebuilding a GM HEI distributor right now as well as a burned up Accel unit.... if I come across any gotcha's I'll bring 'em to the table.
Maybe someone else has a "HEI rebuild" site.
Tom
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski