The Ford Barn

mac101 · 11-01-2015, 01:10 PM

I was just checking my distributor. After removing the rotar I noticed that I can rotate the cam before and forth about 5 degrees in both directions. The cam screw is tight. The play appears to be down inside. Is this OK?

Mac

johnbuckley · 11-01-2015, 01:37 PM

Yep I reckon rotational slack is Ok- the slack is probably just from the shaft keyways or the drive at the bottom of the shaft and is of little significance since the slack is taken up by the drive anyway

Ron in Quincy · 11-01-2015, 02:36 PM

Mac,

I would suggest it is time to pull the distributor and rebuild it. The slack will increase faster once the shaft connections have slop. It also permits you to check if you have a one piece or two piece shaft, I prefer the original two piece shafts, you might consider using the new shaft that is drilled for oiling the upper bushing thru the set screw; also check the cam for wear so if you set your points at .018 it is .018 on all lobes of the cam. Also replace the bushings. This is a good winter time project so when you start driving next spring you will have less problems.

Ron

Charlie Stephens · 11-01-2015, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mckavanagh

I was just checking my distributor. After removing the rotar I noticed that I can rotate the cam before and forth about 5 degrees in both directions. The cam screw is tight. The play appears to be down inside. Is this OK?

Mac

This is normal. The slack is taken out because when you time it you only turn the engine one direction with the crank and take up the slack. If you pass the timing mark and back up you will have a problem.

Charlie Stephens

sphanna · 11-01-2015, 04:12 PM

Just be sure to take the slack out buy turning engine in direction of normal rotation until timing pin drops in hole. Then set timing. You have no problem.

Fred K-OR · 11-01-2015, 06:40 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Mac, could do like Ron suggested just to find out what your distributor is made of. But like pointed out it is not a problem. If you find you have a two piece shaft, you could buy a new bottom shaft and may eliminate some of the problem. Good luck.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 11-01-2015, 07:03 PM

5 degrees slack is quite NORMAL--LEAVE IT ALONE----------
Bill W.

mac101 · 11-01-2015, 07:54 PM

Thanks for the help

Mac

Mitch//pa · 11-01-2015, 07:55 PM

i also say ur good

Tom Wesenberg · 11-01-2015, 08:47 PM

When you set you timing, just give the rotor a light twist clockwise to make sure that 5* of freeplay is on the leading side of the shaft/cam.

If you can move the distributor shaft sideways, then you need to rebuild the distributor. Set the points to .020" then push the shaft back and forth towards the points. If you see the points gap getting bigger and smaller, that's the side play I was talking about.

11-01-2015, 01:10 PM	#1
mac101 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 123	Distributor I was just checking my distributor. After removing the rotar I noticed that I can rotate the cam before and forth about 5 degrees in both directions. The cam screw is tight. The play appears to be down inside. Is this OK? Mac

11-01-2015, 01:37 PM	#2
johnbuckley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,444	Re: Distributor Yep I reckon rotational slack is Ok- the slack is probably just from the shaft keyways or the drive at the bottom of the shaft and is of little significance since the slack is taken up by the drive anyway

11-01-2015, 02:36 PM	#3
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Distributor Mac, I would suggest it is time to pull the distributor and rebuild it. The slack will increase faster once the shaft connections have slop. It also permits you to check if you have a one piece or two piece shaft, I prefer the original two piece shafts, you might consider using the new shaft that is drilled for oiling the upper bushing thru the set screw; also check the cam for wear so if you set your points at .018 it is .018 on all lobes of the cam. Also replace the bushings. This is a good winter time project so when you start driving next spring you will have less problems. Ron

11-01-2015, 04:12 PM	#5
sphanna Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Polk City, Iowa Posts: 526	Re: Distributor Just be sure to take the slack out buy turning engine in direction of normal rotation until timing pin drops in hole. Then set timing. You have no problem. __________________ Steve Hanna, Polk City, IA

11-01-2015, 06:40 PM	#6
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Distributor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mac, could do like Ron suggested just to find out what your distributor is made of. But like pointed out it is not a problem. If you find you have a two piece shaft, you could buy a new bottom shaft and may eliminate some of the problem. Good luck. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

11-01-2015, 07:03 PM	#7
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Distributor 5 degrees slack is quite NORMAL--LEAVE IT ALONE---------- Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

11-01-2015, 07:54 PM	#8
mac101 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 123	Re: Distributor Thanks for the help Mac

11-01-2015, 07:55 PM	#9
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Distributor i also say ur good

11-01-2015, 08:47 PM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Distributor When you set you timing, just give the rotor a light twist clockwise to make sure that 5* of freeplay is on the leading side of the shaft/cam. If you can move the distributor shaft sideways, then you need to rebuild the distributor. Set the points to .020" then push the shaft back and forth towards the points. If you see the points gap getting bigger and smaller, that's the side play I was talking about.