distributor rebuilding
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
distributor rebuilding
i have a 74 conv. with an L-82 iam having distributor problems. after doing some searching i think i will have mine rebuilt. does anyone know of a place that will rebuild my distributor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Rebuilding is only half the battle. Finding a shop that still has a Sun distributor machine (and someone knowledgeable enough to use it) to set the mechanical and vacuum advance mechanisms will be the hard part. In my neck of the woods, eastern Pennsylvania, I would call Pat Mason Racing Ignitions in Schwenksville. Or Kevin Mackay at Corvette Repair Inc on Long Island, NY.
A long shot I know, but Jay Leno has a video on his Big Dog Garage website of a demonstration of a new manufacture distributor machine. I forget the brand name. But contacting them to see who bought their machine might develop some leads.
A long shot I know, but Jay Leno has a video on his Big Dog Garage website of a demonstration of a new manufacture distributor machine. I forget the brand name. But contacting them to see who bought their machine might develop some leads.
Last edited by 69 Chevy; Aug 9, 2011 at 07:55 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
I did my own. Bought the seals etc. and even zinc plated the baseplate and vacuum can myself. Bead plasted the casting.It wasn't that hard, just took some time. I used the original springs and weights.
Steve L.
73 coupe since new
Steve L.
73 coupe since new
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Yep, agreed - pretty basic process, folks just don't do it much anymore.
Setting the right curve is also just a matter of a few hours work on a nice day
Best done in the car for a mild engine, or on the chassis dyno for a wild one, vs. using a distributor machine.
Setting the right curve is also just a matter of a few hours work on a nice day
Best done in the car for a mild engine, or on the chassis dyno for a wild one, vs. using a distributor machine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
You may even be getting a little ahead of yourself. A real common problem on distrbutors is gummed up grease on the mechanical advance shaft. Think I'd start by pulling the distributor first, and inspecting a few things. It may only need some minor disassembly, solvent, and re-lubing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
You may even be getting a little ahead of yourself. A real common problem on distrbutors is gummed up grease on the mechanical advance shaft. Think I'd start by pulling the distributor first, and inspecting a few things. It may only need some minor disassembly, solvent, and re-lubing.
That's good guidance - I was so caught up in the "yes, you can do this" that I didn't back up to troubleshoot - my bad for sure.Unless the shaft has extensive play in it - not end play - it's pretty much still good to go and likely just needs the mechanism checked as noted. Pretty easy to drive the pin out and inspect.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
If your rebuilding, one trick I saw on the web- when you dig out the caked up gunk in the oil well (just under the points mounting plate), replace it with a 3"x3" square piece of gauze and soak it with 3-in-one oil. Looks like GM placed some sort of packing in there and soaked it with oil.
Steve L.
73 coupe since new
Steve L.
73 coupe since new
