Missing spring?
 

Excuse my ignorance but is there supposed to be a spring in the valve chamber between the upper and lower dist. shafts and if so, why can I not find one listed in Mac's cataloge?

Tyler

Re: Missing spring?
 

Here it is.
http://macsautoparts.com/model-a-for...0R3CHL1067766/

Bob

Re: Missing spring?
 

Yes, ...but cannot give you a reason why it isn't in the MAC's catalog

Re: Missing spring?
 

The way I read your question, I'd have to say no.. But,, I may not understand your question.. Most times, I don't understand much of anything these days..
There originally was a shaft between the oil pump drive gear and the distributor shaft.. [Some have been replaced with a single long shaft].. These have off-set slots and notches and the lower shaft should be able to be removed from the oil pump drive thru the distributor hole in the head.. The oil pump drive gear is attached to a shaft running from the camshaft to the oil pump.. This shaft and retainer housing is held in place with a retainer spring that is accessed through the valve chamber..
So from your post, we may not be sure of which shaft you're referring to..

Re: Missing spring?
 

O.K., I see it's listed under parts for the oil pump and I was figuring it should have been listed with the distributor stuff. I was sure there was a spring there when I took it apart but couldn't find the old one and couldn't find anything in the catalog.
Thanks for letting me know I haven't lost my mind.

Tyler

Re: Missing spring?
 

Quite often that spring will have rust pits, so it should be replaced anyway. The same goes for the spring on the bottom of the oil pump.

Re: Missing spring?
 

Sorry for the confusion Patrick, I know not what I do. I am refering to the spring accessable through the valve chamber. I replaced the one on the bottom of the oil pump when we rebuilt that. Looked high and low for the old spring in question, and must have tossed it with the old valve springs, then discovered that I had a new one in my last box of parts that I hadn't opened yet! Now I'm glad I didn't find the old one 'cause I would have put it in and then found my new one.

Does this crap happen to you guys too or am I starting to lose it?
Thanks again for the help everyone, makes this project much easier.

Tyler

Re: Missing spring?
 

Thanks Ed. Makes me feel better.

Tyler

Re: Missing spring?
 

No need to be sorry,, I'm usually in a state of confusion just as I was this time.. Everyone knew what you were talking about except me which is the norm rather than the exception..

Re: Missing spring?
 

Don't Worry!!!

No one said that fixing an old car that most people thought was junk 70 years ago

makes any sense anyway !!! You Don't have to be Crazy to try but it Helps!!!!!

John Cochran

Re: Missing spring?
 

try vintage ford or snyders

Re: Missing spring?
 

I can't tell you the number of times I have purchased a part that I had purchased previously. Especially a problem in restorations with long periods of inactivity.

Re: Missing spring?
 

Last night I stripped the threads on a part. Spent several hours trying to track down a replacement part before I remembered I had a brand new one on the shelf!

Re: Missing spring?
 

Carl,
"Discovery is part of the fun! Gregg & I call it "BRAIN FARTS":eek:
My hibernating engine, built by a very reputable local rebuilder in '87, had no oil pump drive gear housing spring, gear housing would NOT PULL OUT, I don't know how it is locked in. Also, they peened over the oil pump dowel pin so the pump wouldn't fall out when dropping the pan, pretty trick idea! Many times when ordering small, cheap parts, I order 2 or 3 for spares, then I can suck up to buddies by giving parts for free! Giving away stuff is great FUN!:D Engine ran primo, but blew oil out the front, like clear up to the head! Ol' stupid Bill said, "We'll rip of all the externals & re-seal & re- gasket everything & pop off the head & put the high-tech head gasket." Oil leak was a missing timing cover bolt back inside that lower rectangular hole under the generator mount. (cuss-cuss) I ain't perfect, either!:eek: Bill W.

Re: Missing spring?
 

And I thought I was the only one that did that.

Re: Missing spring?
 

I second that!!!!!

Re: Missing spring?
 

This why I now keep a log of everything I do to a car, and every part I buy. BUT, while I know where the list is, I don't always know where I put the part!