Distributor Shaft End Play
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I have never seen a spec. Based on the new, used, and rebuilt, distributors I've seen anything under a 1/8" is OK. End play of .050" -.060" is common. I set mine between .006" and .010".
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,359
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
Set it to no more than .010 to keep spark scatter to a minimum. I always shoot for .005. You can get the shims you need at a local speed shop, or from Summit, Jegs, etc. Moroso makes 'em, and others may, too.
Live well,
SJW
Live well,
SJW
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
no mistake
distrib ''end play'' is intended to ''pump'' lubricant into the lower bearing as the shaft rises momentarily at rapid engine decel....shimming to reduce end play will result in premature lower distrib bearing failure
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,359
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
The only factory-published specs I've ever seen for distributor shaft end-play are from the 1966 and 1967 Factory Service Manuals. That spec states that end-play should be .002 to .007 inch.
I have never seen a published spec for end-play for an HEI distributor, but I doubt it'd be any different.
I've always aimed for .005 end-play.
Live well,
SJW
I have never seen a published spec for end-play for an HEI distributor, but I doubt it'd be any different.
I've always aimed for .005 end-play.
Live well,
SJW
