Distribitor housing trouble

[Modelakid31]

I have a question about the distribitor that came with my tudor (original one to car probly). I has a crack in the bottom shaft. Is this usable as is? If I remeber right it sits in the engine and doesn't stick out inside the engine.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Mike Cataldo


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[Modelakid31]

i would really like to use this one because it was in my car

[Bob C]

That won't hold a bushing, get another one they are cheap.

[John Duden]

if you absolutly have to use this one, you or a skilled welder could squeeze the crack back to gether and the take a grinder or cut off wheel and make a deep cut in the crack and then weld it, BE CAREFUL!!! it is cast let it cool on it's own and then dress it down and ream the hole out
John

[Modelakid31]

i can weld but i never welded cast before. i have another one but havent checked that one yet.

[Jim Parker Toronto]

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Mike, that one is toast, check the other one you have, it might be ok.....

[John Duden]

Mike if you need a 31 distrubter with the closed top ears i have one casting with new bushings and shafts,it is painted, if you are interested it is $25
John

[Tom Endy]

This is a very common problem. Many distributor housings have been turned into scrap by an unsuspecting hobbyist trying to replace the bushings. the space between the two bushings fill up with debris and when you try to press the bushings out the debris tries to compress and it can't, and it ends up cracking the housing.

The best way to remove the old bushings is to split them with a hacksaw blade and curl them out with a pair of long nose pliers. You can also crack the housing when trying to install the new bushings. It is best to press them in from the bottom where there is more material surrounding the bushing and there is more tendancy to press them in in a straight line.

If the housing is cracked at either top or the bottom it is best to discard it and find another. They are usually plentiful at swap meets and are not expensive. It is important to have new bushings installed in an uncracked housing and reamed to fit a new shaft that is correctly machined. Bratton's carry very good quality distributor shafts.

Tom Endy

[James Rogers]

I find the best way to remove the bushings is to use a 9/16 tap and thread it into the bushing that needs to be removed. Put a drift into the other end and just tap the bushing out. Never broke a good housing like this.

[Kurt in NJ]

If you are really comitted to saving it brazing it will have a better chance as a repair than other forms of "welding"

[Ray in La Mesa]

I agree with Kurt, I have succesfully brased the dist. bodies before. It's already broken so you have nothing to lose, try it.

[Russ/40]

If you are an avid and skilled tinkerer, with a lathe, you could turn it down and sleeve it. Lot of work though for an easily replaced part.

[Gord. B by the bay]

Throw it away there are to many good ones in many of the hobbyists benchs and boxes. Gord, B by the Bay

[Robert]

Buy a new one from Mike's A-Fordable...excellent quality...comes with bushings installed.

[Modelakid31]

Thanks so much for all the replies guys. I have another one that isn't cracked luckily. I'll post an update on that one soon enough.

[Modelakid31]

i may try to braze it in the future just to say i did.