Oil in distributor?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Oil in distributor?
My '82 wouldn't crank, so we started troubleshooting. I'm using an Accel aftermarket EFI kit with a dual sync distributor and Calmap, but that only matters because it explains why I coudln't just go to NAPA and get a new one. I had to send mine off to be fixed. I asked my dad to call the guy on Friday while I was at work and ask him the status of the distributor. He said it was filled with oil and that that had caused all sorts of issues inside it. Cost me $100, but that's OK as long as it is fixed. My dad asked him how the distributor becomes filled with oil, and he didn't know. So....how does a distbributor become filled with oil? The gasket around the bottom fo the distributor had a very slow leak (that of course will be fixed now), but that dosen't really have anythign to do with INSIDE the distributor right? I just don't want it happening again 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
My '82 wouldn't crank, so we started troubleshooting. I'm using an Accel aftermarket EFI kit with a dual sync distributor and Calmap, but that only matters because it explains why I coudln't just go to NAPA and get a new one. I had to send mine off to be fixed. I asked my dad to call the guy on Friday while I was at work and ask him the status of the distributor. He said it was filled with oil and that that had caused all sorts of issues inside it. Cost me $100, but that's OK as long as it is fixed. My dad asked him how the distributor becomes filled with oil, and he didn't know. So....how does a distbributor become filled with oil? The gasket around the bottom fo the distributor had a very slow leak (that of course will be fixed now), but that dosen't really have anythign to do with INSIDE the distributor right? I just don't want it happening again
What I dont recall and I presume this is so.. I'm pretty sure there is a hole there to allow oiling of the distributor shaft . I presume there is some sort of permanent (i.e. non-replaceable) seal that prevents oil from climbing up the distributor shaft I also imagine that any oil getting into that area drains down over the drive gear.
Anyway thats my theory and I'm sticking to it
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Modesto CA.
The bottom of the dustributor - just above the gear - forms a part of the oil system on a small block - this is the area with the two raised ribs. it is where oil comes up and enters the lifter gallery IIRC.
What I dont recall and I presume this is so.. I'm pretty sure there is a hole there to allow oiling of the distributor shaft . I presume there is some sort of permanent (i.e. non-replaceable) seal that prevents oil from climbing up the distributor shaft I also imagine that any oil getting into that area drains down over the drive gear.
Anyway thats my theory and I'm sticking to it
What I dont recall and I presume this is so.. I'm pretty sure there is a hole there to allow oiling of the distributor shaft . I presume there is some sort of permanent (i.e. non-replaceable) seal that prevents oil from climbing up the distributor shaft I also imagine that any oil getting into that area drains down over the drive gear.
Anyway thats my theory and I'm sticking to it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
The only thing stopping oil and oil fumes from climbing up the ditributor shaft is the upper shaft bushing.
There is no rubber seal or garlock seal.
If this bushing is worn or if the crank case pressure is very high, oil and fumes make it up.
Had the same problem on my 68 BB and after rebushing the distributor with a new shaft , the oil leak is gone.
Myne pumped a fair amount of oil up into the ditributor cavity and drained back out through the distributor cable grommet hole onto the bellhousing down the gearbox onto the floor.
Left a puddle on the floor after each drive.
What they call a seal in the overhaul schematics is a plastic washer to keep the grease in situe. Thsi grease is meant to lubricate the upper bushing/shaft . If worn, the oil fumes from the crankcase pass along the shaft all the way up .
Günther
The only thing stopping oil and oil fumes from climbing up the ditributor shaft is the upper shaft bushing.
There is no rubber seal or garlock seal.
If this bushing is worn or if the crank case pressure is very high, oil and fumes make it up.
Had the same problem on my 68 BB and after rebushing the distributor with a new shaft , the oil leak is gone.
Myne pumped a fair amount of oil up into the ditributor cavity and drained back out through the distributor cable grommet hole onto the bellhousing down the gearbox onto the floor.
Left a puddle on the floor after each drive.
What they call a seal in the overhaul schematics is a plastic washer to keep the grease in situe. Thsi grease is meant to lubricate the upper bushing/shaft . If worn, the oil fumes from the crankcase pass along the shaft all the way up .
Günther
Last edited by WESCH; Apr 30, 2007 at 10:52 PM. Reason: schematics
