How much shaft play in distributor?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 9
From: Troy Ohio
How much shaft play in distributor?
When I pulled the distributor so I can remove my intake/ base I noticed alot of play in the shaft the length of the dist. How much would be normal play? I'm talking about 1/4 inch play here.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,290
Likes: 238
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
From what iv'e read .008 is a good target. Mine also had lots, the new gear ate some of the space but i still need about .040 to get better.
Last edited by AGENT 86; Jul 14, 2006 at 03:12 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
I set them up at 0.009-0.010". Get it fairly close to this value with the inexpensive shim pack from Summit/Jegs. I did mine in the '88 about 4 months ago. Search for thread titled "15° Retarded". You will find discussion there. 
Wow, 0.25"!!!
Aaron
Wow, 0.25"!!!
Aaron
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I have never seen one with a 1/4" end play, but even brand new they are always too great. End play of .040" to .060" and more, is common. When the shaft moves up and down, it also turns on the helical cut drive/driven gears. This alters the ignition timing. Cars have been doing just fine with sloppy end play for decades. However, if you are a bracket racer, looking to eliminate any possible cause of inconsistency in your ETs, tightening up the end play can't hurt. I shoot for .006" to .010". Mine is at .008".
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
