The Ford Barn

28Annie · 12-07-2011, 01:31 PM

I haven't been able to get my car started & just noticed that there's about 3/16" of vertical play with my distributor shaft. Is that considered excessive?

RHD · 12-07-2011, 02:08 PM

It's the horizontal play to be concerned with. I would not go with more than around .002" to .004". The less the better to obtain an equal point gap. There must be sufficient clearance for lubrication.

mass A man · 12-07-2011, 02:24 PM

Sounds like the lower pinned on distributor collar is loose or has failed. It could have somehow sheared the pin. That would explain no start, timing is now off. I would check the upper dist. shaft for lack of lube. A very slight amount of vertical play is all there should be. Enough for shaft to easily rotate. Do you know how to pull the distributor? If not, refer to a reference book, or post again for help.

Tom Wesenberg · 12-08-2011, 04:21 AM

For sure the distributor needs to be rebuilt. The pin ONLY holds the coupling collar in place and has no effect on rotational play, but does limit the up and down play.

If you grab the top of the distributor shaft and push it back and forth sideways, you should not feel any play. Any noticable side play will let the points open at inconsistent timing.

RonC · 12-08-2011, 06:34 AM

Ford specified .004 to .010 end play.

28Annie · 12-08-2011, 10:32 AM

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The play is only in the vertical direction so I'll try pulling the distributor and rebuilding it. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

kenparker · 12-08-2011, 10:53 AM

sounds like some thrust washers are missing or the pin has come out or missing letting the shaft come off the sleeve that connects the upper to the lower shaft.

12-07-2011, 01:31 PM	#1
28Annie Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Apex, North Carolina Posts: 59	How much play in distributor shaft is ok? I haven't been able to get my car started & just noticed that there's about 3/16" of vertical play with my distributor shaft. Is that considered excessive?

12-07-2011, 02:08 PM	#2
RHD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 670	Re: How much play in distributor shaft is ok? It's the horizontal play to be concerned with. I would not go with more than around .002" to .004". The less the better to obtain an equal point gap. There must be sufficient clearance for lubrication. __________________ R.H.D. Author of Model 'A' Ford technical manuals. Supplier of good original RHD parts.

12-07-2011, 02:24 PM	#3
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 712	Re: How much play in distributor shaft is ok? Sounds like the lower pinned on distributor collar is loose or has failed. It could have somehow sheared the pin. That would explain no start, timing is now off. I would check the upper dist. shaft for lack of lube. A very slight amount of vertical play is all there should be. Enough for shaft to easily rotate. Do you know how to pull the distributor? If not, refer to a reference book, or post again for help. Last edited by mass A man; 12-07-2011 at 02:26 PM. Reason: added question

12-08-2011, 04:21 AM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: How much play in distributor shaft is ok? For sure the distributor needs to be rebuilt. The pin ONLY holds the coupling collar in place and has no effect on rotational play, but does limit the up and down play. If you grab the top of the distributor shaft and push it back and forth sideways, you should not feel any play. Any noticable side play will let the points open at inconsistent timing.

12-08-2011, 06:34 AM	#5
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: How much play in distributor shaft is ok? Ford specified .004 to .010 end play.

12-08-2011, 10:32 AM	#6
28Annie Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Apex, North Carolina Posts: 59	Re: How much play in distributor shaft is ok? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The play is only in the vertical direction so I'll try pulling the distributor and rebuilding it. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

12-08-2011, 10:53 AM	#7
kenparker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van, Texas Posts: 1,122	Re: How much play in distributor shaft is ok? sounds like some thrust washers are missing or the pin has come out or missing letting the shaft come off the sleeve that connects the upper to the lower shaft.