How much should i shim my distributor ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire,England
How much should i shim my distributor ?
My distributor bottoms out on the oil pump drive before the flange makes contact with the inlet manifold...even with the gasket in place.
I have bought some different thickness shims to use between the distributor flange and the inlet manifold. Does anyone know what thickness of shim to use to stop the distributor bottoming out but still mesh properly with the cam gear.
Thanks
David :)
I have bought some different thickness shims to use between the distributor flange and the inlet manifold. Does anyone know what thickness of shim to use to stop the distributor bottoming out but still mesh properly with the cam gear.
Thanks
David :)
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 55
From: Shawano WI
Re: How much should i shim my distributor ? (ukvette72)
The process is to stack the shims until the distributor will sit tight on the shims without a gasket. Then use a gasket to give you the additional clearance needed. Be sure to use some sealer on the shims so you don't get an oil leak from in between them.
That being said, are you sure you know why you need shims? Has the heads, block or intake been cut? If work has not been done that would require shimming then you need to look at why the distributor in not sitting down tight. Looking at your signature it looks like you have new heads and intake of which neither would need to be cut. Taking the block down to zero deck would not be enouh to require the distributor to need shimming.
[Modified by Pete79L82, 12:41 PM 1/26/2003]
That being said, are you sure you know why you need shims? Has the heads, block or intake been cut? If work has not been done that would require shimming then you need to look at why the distributor in not sitting down tight. Looking at your signature it looks like you have new heads and intake of which neither would need to be cut. Taking the block down to zero deck would not be enouh to require the distributor to need shimming.
[Modified by Pete79L82, 12:41 PM 1/26/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Re: How much should i shim my distributor ? (ukvette72)
UK,
If I was you I would take the main drive gear off and drop the distributor in and check if the dist. flange hits the intake. Your post sounds like you have the wrong oil pump or the drive rod is too long, this happened to someone in the "engine mods" forum and if I remember correctly he had the wrong pump.
...redvetracr
If I was you I would take the main drive gear off and drop the distributor in and check if the dist. flange hits the intake. Your post sounds like you have the wrong oil pump or the drive rod is too long, this happened to someone in the "engine mods" forum and if I remember correctly he had the wrong pump.
...redvetracr
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire,England
Re: How much should i shim my distributor ? (Pete79L82)
Thanks for the reply Peter.
I dont know why my distributor needs shimming...the block has never been decked and the heads and inlet manifold are new and have not been machined.
The only thing i can think of is that i put in a new steel drive shaft between the oil pump and the distributor. (to get rid of the need for that plastic collar) maybe it is slightly over length !!!
Anyway thanks for the help.
David :thumbs:
I dont know why my distributor needs shimming...the block has never been decked and the heads and inlet manifold are new and have not been machined.
The only thing i can think of is that i put in a new steel drive shaft between the oil pump and the distributor. (to get rid of the need for that plastic collar) maybe it is slightly over length !!!
Anyway thanks for the help.
David :thumbs:
