The Ford Barn

Fred K-OR · 01-11-2016, 01:28 PM

Can anyone give me some ideas on how to insert or install the bushings in a distributor without some of the tools that are shown on some of the posts on the Barn. I have none of this type of tool, only a hammer and/or a block of wood. In other words I know nothing about what I am doing. Tom Endy's post shows an insertion tool to use to push the bushings in to the body. But I do not have any of these tools so is there a simple, safe way to do it without destroying the body?

Tiny · 01-11-2016, 01:31 PM

I would buy an arbor press. They are not that expensive. The distributors crack pretty easy when you hit them with a hammer

jw hash · 01-11-2016, 01:35 PM

if you have an old distributor shaft and cam put the screw in the cam and use it as a driver. that is what i use to do before I made one.

Mikeinnj · 01-11-2016, 01:53 PM

Fred, You could try using a piece of 3/8 inch all-thread, ( threaded rod available at local hardware stores) and a washer and a nut on each end.

Be sure the inner surface of the distributor housing is really clean and use some oil on it and on the all-thread threads. It helps to put a slight chamfer on the end of the bushing. The trick is to start the bushing completely straight, relative to the distributor surface.

If you do not have a reamer, you could "burnish" the installed bushings with an old distributor shaft chucked in a drill press.

Fred K-OR · 01-11-2016, 02:04 PM

Thanks guys. I will give these ideas a try. This distributor is an "extra" one that I am rebuilding for backup so if I do mess up, I will still have one in each rig that works for now.

I also have machinist friend that said he could make me a insertion tool. So this may be a safe way. Will think about it.

Mike V. Florida · 01-12-2016, 01:27 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj

Fred, You could try using a piece of 3/8 inch all-thread, ( threaded rod available at local hardware stores) and a washer and a nut on each end.

Be sure the inner surface of the distributor housing is really clean and use some oil on it and on the all-thread threads. It helps to put a slight chamfer on the end of the bushing. The trick is to start the bushing completely straight, relative to the distributor surface.

If you do not have a reamer, you could "burnish" the installed bushings with an old distributor shaft chucked in a drill press.

Let me add; with two washers on the end with the nut you will be moving, and a little bit of oil or grease between the washers the grease/oil will act like a thrust bearing and be a little easier to turn.

H. L. Chauvin · 01-12-2016, 02:06 AM

I always find it humorous that most of us were alive when a Coke or a Hersey Bar was a nickel and a pack of cigarettes was only 20 cents ....... King Edward cigars, 5 cents ....... and ...... Model A ignition points at J.C. Whitney were 15 cents a set in the 1950's.

Today, we sometimes have to be reminded that "nothing" is as cheap as that of the Good Old Days ........ and why not buy what we "need" in the autumn of our days.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in saving lots of time fiddle-farting with making bushing drivers, Harbor Freight has a Bushing Driver Set advertised today for $17.99 that I bought about 20 years ago when it was about $10.00.

It may have a (2) star rating because it is not metric for foreign made car parts ...... however ....... it can be successfully used for every Model A bushing such as bushings for Model A distributers, king pins, brake and clutch pedals, front brake lever shafts, oil pump shaft bushings, generator and starter bushings etc., etc.

Hope this helps .... just skip the fries at MacDonald's a few times .... we know we really don't need a pot belly as much as we need a Model A bushing driver.

Quick View

Bushing/Bearing Set

Item #68971

2.0
(2)
Read 2 Reviews
Write a Review

Only:
$17.99

Add to Cart

mike657894 · 01-12-2016, 02:15 AM

nice one H.L. i will put that in my cap for later on.

Mike V. Florida · 01-12-2016, 02:39 AM

But a bolt, 3 washers and a nut cost $2.01 (Lowes). A savings of $12.40 (using a 20% HF coupon).

Thats a 1/2 tank of gas.

RonC · 01-12-2016, 07:05 AM

Brattons Antique Autp parts sells distributor housings glass beaded and rebushed for $40 plus your old housing. Given you have no tools this would give you a fighting chance at being sucessful with your rebuild.

H. L. Chauvin · 01-12-2016, 09:56 AM

Mr. RonC is correct because after the $2.00 bushings are installed with a$17.00 bushing driver, a $55.00 (+) bushing reamer will be needed to ream the bushings.

Maybe get the $40.00 re-bushed distributor from Bratton's..... eat the MacDonald fries ..... and while waiting for the mail ....... run around the block to burn an equal amount of calories as that of the fries.

Like Mr. RonC ......... just expounding on one (1) way to re-bush a Model A distributor ....... and not get a pot belly.

Hope this helps.

pgerhardt · 01-12-2016, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

But a bolt, 3 washers and a nut cost $2.01 (Lowes). A savings of $12.40 (using a 20% HF coupon).

Thats a 1/2 tank of gas.

Reminds me of my Aunt Agnus who had a sign in her bathroom that read: "Ten Sheets Only Please"!

Fred K-OR · 01-12-2016, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

But a bolt, 3 washers and a nut cost $2.01 (Lowes). A savings of $12.40 (using a 20% HF coupon).

Thats a 1/2 tank of gas.

Mike I think great minds think alike. Yesterday I went down to the shop and found a 3/8 in bolt along with 3 or so washers and found that if I put enough washers on the head of the bolt, I can screw the nut down, with washer under it, enough to push the bushing all the way in. I haven't tried it yet but I think it may work. Will post a picture of "our" great tool! BTW it didn't cost me anything because I found all the things I needed in my bucket of bolts. Off to the old coffee shop to get another cup of joe!

redmodelt · 01-13-2016, 01:51 AM

I have found that pressing or pulling the bushing into place is easier on the casting and sometimes the bushing only will need a little reaming if any at all when you are done. If you have a small round file run it back fourth a few times in the hole to clean any burrs out first. The bolt trick works on pulling spring bushings and other bushings where you have a clear shot from both ends into place. Pounding them in mushrooms the end and just makes for more work in the end. I use a bolt so one end is locked to hold with wrench but all thread should work too.

CA Victoria · 01-13-2016, 06:59 AM

Fred,
Glad to help another Model A friend out.
If you are not in a hurry I will make the correct size driver sleeve in the next couple of days and mail it to you. Works best to pull it in with an all thread Rod.
Send your mail address via email.
T.

imacrazy · 01-13-2016, 10:28 AM

Tim, I take a small saw blade and saw each bushing. being carful not to saw into the housing,
and then a socket a little smaller to drive them out, one at a time. I lubricate the new ones with WD-40 and press them in with my vice. It’s really pretty easy.
Bill

Fred K-OR · 01-13-2016, 03:00 PM

Tim, thanks for the offer of help. I have the bushings out and I think this bolt idea will work. But the last few days other family medical situations have stopped me from trying it. So let me try this idea and if it doesn't work, I will get back to you.

Again thanks for the offer and I will see how the bolt thing works in the next day or so.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 01-13-2016, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw hash

if you have an old distributor shaft and cam put the screw in the cam and use it as a driver. that is what i use to do before I made one.

jw,
TRICK IDEA, warming it in the oven helps, also.

pgrhart,
Pat had a sign in her office @ I.R.S, "NOT YO' MAMMA"!
Bill W.

Fred K-OR · 01-13-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

jw,
TRICK IDEA, warming it in the oven helps, also.

pgrhart,
Pat had a sign in her office @ I.R.S, "NOT YO' MAMMA"!
Bill W.

Good idea Bill. Will have to distract the wife for awhile while I do that.

daveymc29 · 01-13-2016, 04:51 PM

Run a saw down the center of a 1/4 inch dowel (wood) and make a reamer by inserting a piece of crocus cloth or your favorite wet or dry sand paper. Chuck it up in your hand drill and carefully use it to fit the shaft to the bushings. Go easy and quit reaming when the shaft turns freely but doesn't rock in the hole. In other words, check progress often, don't rush it. No special tools needed and you probably already own all the stuff to create the reamer.

01-11-2016, 01:28 PM	#1
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Can anyone give me some ideas on how to insert or install the bushings in a distributor without some of the tools that are shown on some of the posts on the Barn. I have none of this type of tool, only a hammer and/or a block of wood. In other words I know nothing about what I am doing. Tom Endy's post shows an insertion tool to use to push the bushings in to the body. But I do not have any of these tools so is there a simple, safe way to do it without destroying the body? __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

01-11-2016, 01:31 PM	#2
Tiny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Redding Cal Posts: 1,388	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" I would buy an arbor press. They are not that expensive. The distributors crack pretty easy when you hit them with a hammer __________________ Blackwall Panthers Nor Cal chapter

01-11-2016, 01:35 PM	#3
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,662	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" if you have an old distributor shaft and cam put the screw in the cam and use it as a driver. that is what i use to do before I made one.

01-11-2016, 01:53 PM	#4
Mikeinnj Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 1,262	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Fred, You could try using a piece of 3/8 inch all-thread, ( threaded rod available at local hardware stores) and a washer and a nut on each end. Be sure the inner surface of the distributor housing is really clean and use some oil on it and on the all-thread threads. It helps to put a slight chamfer on the end of the bushing. The trick is to start the bushing completely straight, relative to the distributor surface. If you do not have a reamer, you could "burnish" the installed bushings with an old distributor shaft chucked in a drill press.

01-11-2016, 02:04 PM	#5
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Thanks guys. I will give these ideas a try. This distributor is an "extra" one that I am rebuilding for backup so if I do mess up, I will still have one in each rig that works for now. I also have machinist friend that said he could make me a insertion tool. So this may be a safe way. Will think about it. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

01-12-2016, 02:06 AM	#7
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" I always find it humorous that most of us were alive when a Coke or a Hersey Bar was a nickel and a pack of cigarettes was only 20 cents ....... King Edward cigars, 5 cents ....... and ...... Model A ignition points at J.C. Whitney were 15 cents a set in the 1950's. Today, we sometimes have to be reminded that "nothing" is as cheap as that of the Good Old Days ........ and why not buy what we "need" in the autumn of our days. Anyway, if anyone is interested in saving lots of time fiddle-farting with making bushing drivers, Harbor Freight has a Bushing Driver Set advertised today for $17.99 that I bought about 20 years ago when it was about $10.00. It may have a (2) star rating because it is not metric for foreign made car parts ...... however ....... it can be successfully used for every Model A bushing such as bushings for Model A distributers, king pins, brake and clutch pedals, front brake lever shafts, oil pump shaft bushings, generator and starter bushings etc., etc. Hope this helps .... just skip the fries at MacDonald's a few times .... we know we really don't need a pot belly as much as we need a Model A bushing driver. Quick View Bushing/Bearing Set Item #68971 2.0 (2) Read 2 Reviews Write a Review Only: $17.99 Add to Cart

01-12-2016, 02:15 AM	#8
mike657894 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay City Michigan Posts: 1,050	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" nice one H.L. i will put that in my cap for later on.

01-12-2016, 02:39 AM	#9
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" But a bolt, 3 washers and a nut cost $2.01 (Lowes). A savings of $12.40 (using a 20% HF coupon). Thats a 1/2 tank of gas. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

01-12-2016, 07:05 AM	#10
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Brattons Antique Autp parts sells distributor housings glass beaded and rebushed for $40 plus your old housing. Given you have no tools this would give you a fighting chance at being sucessful with your rebuild.

01-12-2016, 09:56 AM	#11
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Mr. RonC is correct because after the $2.00 bushings are installed with a$17.00 bushing driver, a $55.00 (+) bushing reamer will be needed to ream the bushings. Maybe get the $40.00 re-bushed distributor from Bratton's..... eat the MacDonald fries ..... and while waiting for the mail ....... run around the block to burn an equal amount of calories as that of the fries. Like Mr. RonC ......... just expounding on one (1) way to re-bush a Model A distributor ....... and not get a pot belly. Hope this helps.

01-13-2016, 01:51 AM	#14
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,410	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" I have found that pressing or pulling the bushing into place is easier on the casting and sometimes the bushing only will need a little reaming if any at all when you are done. If you have a small round file run it back fourth a few times in the hole to clean any burrs out first. The bolt trick works on pulling spring bushings and other bushings where you have a clear shot from both ends into place. Pounding them in mushrooms the end and just makes for more work in the end. I use a bolt so one end is locked to hold with wrench but all thread should work too.

01-13-2016, 06:59 AM	#15
CA Victoria Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,216	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Fred, Glad to help another Model A friend out. If you are not in a hurry I will make the correct size driver sleeve in the next couple of days and mail it to you. Works best to pull it in with an all thread Rod. Send your mail address via email. T. __________________ Tim Downtown, Ca Last edited by CA Victoria; 01-13-2016 at 07:05 AM.

01-13-2016, 10:28 AM	#16
imacrazy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 167	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Tim, I take a small saw blade and saw each bushing. being carful not to saw into the housing, and then a socket a little smaller to drive them out, one at a time. I lubricate the new ones with WD-40 and press them in with my vice. It’s really pretty easy. Bill

01-13-2016, 03:00 PM	#17
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Tim, thanks for the offer of help. I have the bushings out and I think this bolt idea will work. But the last few days other family medical situations have stopped me from trying it. So let me try this idea and if it doesn't work, I will get back to you. Again thanks for the offer and I will see how the bolt thing works in the next day or so. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

01-13-2016, 04:51 PM	#20
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,566	Re: Installing distributor bushings-without "tools" Run a saw down the center of a 1/4 inch dowel (wood) and make a reamer by inserting a piece of crocus cloth or your favorite wet or dry sand paper. Chuck it up in your hand drill and carefully use it to fit the shaft to the bushings. Go easy and quit reaming when the shaft turns freely but doesn't rock in the hole. In other words, check progress often, don't rush it. No special tools needed and you probably already own all the stuff to create the reamer.