Stripped Distributor screw mount.

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May 12, 2011 | 03:32 AM

rob75383

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Stripped Distributor screw mount.

Messin around with the timing, I have now found out that one of the screws that holds the vacuum advance has stripped its hole. Problem is, its the innermost mount, which also holds the cam to limit the amount of vac advance in place.
What would be the recommended method to get a tight grip on the cam and vacuum advance? I guess I can go up a size, get some heli-colis, or jam a toothpick into the threads, but I am looking for something that isn't gonna fail, and let loose at the worst time - and something I can turn here and there while I tune her right.
thanks joeveto for the pic.

(I am referring to the slotted screw nearest to the pointing finger)
PS - as an FYI for those of you stumbling upon this thread, when the cam position is changed, it changes base timing, so you need to re-check your settings if the cam moves, or is repositioned. I don't wanna have that happen in the middle of a launch, or during a cruise.

May 12, 2011 | 07:03 AM

gcusmano74

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Ain't no easy way, buddy. You will most likely have to drill it out and helicoil it, if the boss is large enough and strong enough. A bit dicey. Good luck. Or get a used distributor that has good threads from a salvage yard and swap all your parts back into it.

May 12, 2011 | 07:11 AM

Paul L

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From: Ontario

That hole goes right through the housing on my points distributor. If yours is the same run a #8 or #10 machine screw down to the bottom and secure with lock washer and nut.

May 12, 2011 | 07:13 AM

Indiancreek

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From: Oxford Ohio

Not easy. Good fix, clear out all the parts you can for room, Tig up the hole, re tap the threads. Stronger than new. JB Weld, strong, not as strong, but not as easy to control.

May 12, 2011 | 11:52 PM

7T1vette

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See if there is enough room for the next larger screw. Then just drill the existing [threaded] hole for that tap size and re-tap to the new thread size. You may have to drill out a hole on mating part and you may also need to grind down the diameter of the larger screw head. But, if there is enough 'meat' on the parts, it should work just fine.

P.S. It looks like that condenser came over on the Mayflower. Maybe time to change it?

May 13, 2011 | 01:12 AM

rob75383

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 7T1vette

P.S. It looks like that condenser came over on the Mayflower. Maybe time to change it?

Not my photo, and not my car...
Lol. Sorry, I was googling around for Lars's and other opinions on vacuum advance, and came across joevito's webpage. http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/joe..._Recurve.shtml

I lifted the photo from his page. Ever since CF stopped supporting our hompages, I'v never really set myself up with a decent pic hosting site.

Seeing that my condenser isn't much better, I'll look into replacing it as well.

May 13, 2011 | 04:08 AM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

May 13, 2011 | 10:33 PM

rob75383

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The fastener I removed seemed a bit short, so I went with a longer 5/32 one I had on hand. Its holding nice and snug. Between the spinning screw, and the funky timing settings, I am starting to wonder what I was thinking all those years ago when I re-timed her last.

Last edited by rob75383; May 13, 2011 at 11:01 PM.