distributor question

[larry harding]

i am going thru a couple of extra distributors i have on hand to have spares for emergency.... new bushings, modern points/condensers etc. has anybody used a roll pin instead of the solid pin thru the shaft? would make future service easier. pros cons?

[MrBruce]

I've got 42 distributors honed and fitted with the new shafts and when I build them I use only roll pins which are really great.

[BButturff]

I've used roll pins too. No problems.

[P.S.]

Modern points- Yes.
Rollpins- Yes.
Modern condensers- No.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi7WZp2DK4g

[Richard Knight]

Funny thing. I just did that tonight and asked my self the same question. I went with a roll pin.

[larry harding]

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i've used the modern points a couple of times, i like the modern set up, but question the quality of the points and condenser supplied with the upper plate.
i have replaced them with blue streak on my pu and had no more problem. is there better quality p/c out there? i think on one of paul shin's videos he just redrilled the old upper plate and installed the modern p/c, which what i may do in the future.

[Bob Bidonde]

I use roll pins to replace solid pins. However, I use the non-plated steel roll pins for strength and no fear of cadmium embrittlement. Roll pins are exception as door hinge pins, and they can be lubricated easily because they are hollow.

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Roll pins are exception as door hinge pins, and they can be lubricated easily because they are hollow.

This is a good idea but oil is wrong for this application. Just drains out within a few days. Use grease. Stays put and you can refill by pressing a grease gun against the open bottom end. You could even drill a hole in the middle.

[Herb Concord Ca]

I have used roll pins on the distributor collar for years. Also use roll pins on the spark rod ends.

[nkaminar]

Larry, original poster, is building up distributors as spares. I am assuming that he would carry one with him, all timed and ready to just drop in. My car came with a spare distributor ready to drop in that could be carried along. In my opinion, the distributor is such a simple device that it is only necessary to carry spare points and condensor, and maybe a spare rotor. That is assuming that the distributor is in good shape with no worn or broken parts or wires.

[Bruce of MN]

Just points and rotor eliminates dealing with unscrewing the dizzy from the armored cable.

[JayJay]

Having a spare, pre-timed distributor means you won’t have to screw around with setting the gap on new points at the side of the road. Not a huge issue if you can use the crank to rotate the engine, but for those of us with front toolboxes that’s not an option. Carry one of those special bent crank nut wrenches, or just drop in your spare distributor and be done with it.