Pull it apart. The lower bearing/bushing is probably egg-shaped also. Lots of load off the cam gear.
Distributor Breaker Plate
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Distributor Breaker Plate
While I was tuning up my ride, I noticed that the dwell was jumping from 29-32 at all different RPMS and at idle. I thought my points were suspect, so I am replacing them...but the old points weren't that bad.
What I found was that my breaker plate has a lot of play. I could "wobble" it and see my point spring move. Is this my dwell problem?
My distr. shaft has very little end play. Do I need to shim up the breaker plate somehow?
If I recall, there was some kind of plastic/felt washer combo under it and possibly some kind of retainer. I rebuilt the dist. a while back and put in a new shaft due to a tack gear failure.
What I found was that my breaker plate has a lot of play. I could "wobble" it and see my point spring move. Is this my dwell problem?
My distr. shaft has very little end play. Do I need to shim up the breaker plate somehow?
If I recall, there was some kind of plastic/felt washer combo under it and possibly some kind of retainer. I rebuilt the dist. a while back and put in a new shaft due to a tack gear failure.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 220
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How does the upper shaft bushing in the distributor feel? If there is a lot of lateral play the bushing may need to be replaced. The upper bushing does not get lubed from engine oil, instead, it gets lube from grease packed in the upper cavity.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
There is no lateral play in the shaft. I checked the bushing when I repaced the shaft. I also packed the upper cavity when I replaced the shaft.
The breaker plate seems to have too much play...like nothing is holding it in place. I think there may be a snap ring that holds the breaker plate in place. I'm wondering if the snap ring somehow broke.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
B2B. Thx. If there is too much clearance, do I have to replace the bushing? As I said previously, I have no lateral movement in the shaft.
I am hoping it is just a broken snap ring. When I rebuilt it, I am sure that the plate was tight.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: Concord NC
Hey smokinbbc, thanks for the input this weekend as the drama in my garage continued to elevate. I think I have my woes now narrowed to fuel delivery. Since you're talking about dwell, I've been staring at mine all weekend and it never wavers from 30*.
I appreciate the feedback. If you ever get over here to Concord I owe you a beer.
I appreciate the feedback. If you ever get over here to Concord I owe you a beer.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Hey smokinbbc, thanks for the input this weekend as the drama in my garage continued to elevate. I think I have my woes now narrowed to fuel delivery. Since you're talking about dwell, I've been staring at mine all weekend and it never wavers from 30*.
I appreciate the feedback. If you ever get over here to Concord I owe you a beer.
I appreciate the feedback. If you ever get over here to Concord I owe you a beer.
I get down to your area a couple of times a year for soccer tournaments for my son...next time, I'll look you up!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
I pulled the dist.
The snap ring was in place but there was too much clearance between the top of the breaker plate and the snap ring. I tapped the bushing in slightly with my handy dandy bushing install tool and took out most of the play. Put on a new snap ring. It is snug now (no wobble) with enough play to allow the vac advance to move the plate without resistance.
I also shimmed it back to .005. It was close to .009. The bushings are perfect. The shaft has no vertical movement.
Put it back in and no more dramatic dwell fluctuation. sits at either 30 or 31 depending on revs..guess that's not bad. It is very stable at idle. I took it for a hard ride after resetting timing...runs very strong and smooth.
I'll have to keep an eye on it to see if it loosens up again. If it does, I guess the upper bushing may need to be replaced.
The snap ring was in place but there was too much clearance between the top of the breaker plate and the snap ring. I tapped the bushing in slightly with my handy dandy bushing install tool and took out most of the play. Put on a new snap ring. It is snug now (no wobble) with enough play to allow the vac advance to move the plate without resistance.
I also shimmed it back to .005. It was close to .009. The bushings are perfect. The shaft has no vertical movement.
Put it back in and no more dramatic dwell fluctuation. sits at either 30 or 31 depending on revs..guess that's not bad. It is very stable at idle. I took it for a hard ride after resetting timing...runs very strong and smooth.
I'll have to keep an eye on it to see if it loosens up again. If it does, I guess the upper bushing may need to be replaced.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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