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Old 03-28-2017, 02:03 PM   #1
john in illinois
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Default Distributor mounting screw

Should the grub screw be snug or tight? I can never seem to decide. Snug and distributor can jiggle,but it always runs fine. Tight and it could be held off center,but is more stable. I have 2 piece shaft,so it probably compensates for some miscalignment. What do you guy's do?

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Old 03-28-2017, 02:14 PM   #2
1930-Pickup
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

Tight. The two-piece shaft will compensate.
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Old 03-28-2017, 02:27 PM   #3
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

I very lightly snug up the screw and tighten the locknut.
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Old 03-28-2017, 02:53 PM   #4
Mitch//pa
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

The distributor lock screw is to be installed hand tight. If tightened excessively, the base of the distributor can be compressed enough to change the diameter of the lower bushing which will cause the shaft to lock up into the casting.

How does that sound???
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Old 03-28-2017, 03:08 PM   #5
SeaSlugs
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch//pa View Post
The distributor lock screw is to be installed hand tight. If tightened excessively, the base of the distributor can be compressed enough to change the diameter of the lower bushing which will cause the shaft to lock up into the casting.

How does that sound???
Its what ive always heard too. snug with a screw driver then snug with the wrench.
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Old 03-28-2017, 03:47 PM   #6
1930-Pickup
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

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In the initial post the choice was to have a moving distributor housing, or to tighten the screw enough that the housing doesn't move.

If the screw is so loose that the distributor housing moves, parts will wear. Moving parts will cause wear and debris. Doesn't make sense to me to leave it that loose. I think that's why the set screw is slotted; you can only get a slotted screw so tight.
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Old 03-28-2017, 04:43 PM   #7
john in illinois
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

Thanks for replys. Looks like -medium- won. Like most things in life, moderation.

John
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Old 03-28-2017, 04:45 PM   #8
Mitch//pa
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

Read the notation on page 80 in brattons catalouge under the distributor screw and lock nut....
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Old 03-28-2017, 05:26 PM   #9
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

Good catalogs are your best friends :-) Lots of information nice diagrams descriptions!
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Old 03-28-2017, 06:14 PM   #10
1930-Pickup
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Default Re: Distributor mounting screw

it was bothering me that the tightening of the set screw could have such an impact on the distortion of the housing.

So I went to the garage and loosened the set screw. I then felt the turning resistance of the shaft with the screw loose, and then again with the screw tight. There was a difference, albeit only a little. Well I'll be! (I did this test with my newly-installed freshly-rebuilt distributor)

So I concede, the screw should only be snug, not tight...and that's how I set it.
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