The Ford Barn

Phred · 07-02-2012, 08:24 PM

Its not unlikely that over the last eighty years our engine blocks and cylinder heads have been milled to the point that the distributor now rides too high above the top of the cylinder head and "wobbles" as it turns, or the distributor set screw in the engine block does not line up with the groove in the distributor collar the sets down into the cylinder head.

In the past I have spent too much time grinding down the distributor shafts, filing the groove at the end of the shaft deeper, and/or filing down the tang at the end of the distributor.

A simpler solution is to shim the gap between the distributor and cylinder head with valve spring shims. The VSI 103 shim (small block Ford V8) is just the right size (OD: 1 1/2", ID: 1 1/32") and is available in .015", .030", and .060" thicknesses.

While this seems like an epiphany and has worked for me, I will not take any credit for the idea as I am sure others have come up with this idea before I did.

I thought this might be something good to file away in the back of your minds or in your tech sheets

Peace to all.

Mike V. Florida · 07-02-2012, 09:44 PM

Never thought of that but you are correct in that it would happen.

john in illinois · 07-03-2012, 07:04 AM

That is a good idea. Another tip that I just found. I had my distributor off and noticed the locating pin was a sloppy fit in the head. you could turn the distributor back and forth when mounted.

I turned a new pin for a snug fit in the head. The distributor sits there like a rock now. No need to over tighten the screw.

John

Bruce · 07-03-2012, 07:36 AM

Your new way may be easier, Phred, but the old filing/grinding way is better. It lowers the car's center of gravity.

Doug in NJ · 07-03-2012, 08:04 AM

So, when this situation occurs, what is actually holding up the distributor? Could there be an unwanted end thrust on the shaft that could wear out the sleeve or fiber washer at the bottom of the distributor? And could the distributor drive gear get pushed downwards and suffer?

Doug

d.j. moordigian · 07-03-2012, 12:22 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Too add to Doug's response.....

The "new" shaft/shafts could be bit long?

07-02-2012, 08:24 PM	#1
Phred Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: IL Posts: 303	TECH: Distributor Shim Its not unlikely that over the last eighty years our engine blocks and cylinder heads have been milled to the point that the distributor now rides too high above the top of the cylinder head and "wobbles" as it turns, or the distributor set screw in the engine block does not line up with the groove in the distributor collar the sets down into the cylinder head. In the past I have spent too much time grinding down the distributor shafts, filing the groove at the end of the shaft deeper, and/or filing down the tang at the end of the distributor. A simpler solution is to shim the gap between the distributor and cylinder head with valve spring shims. The VSI 103 shim (small block Ford V8) is just the right size (OD: 1 1/2", ID: 1 1/32") and is available in .015", .030", and .060" thicknesses. While this seems like an epiphany and has worked for me, I will not take any credit for the idea as I am sure others have come up with this idea before I did. I thought this might be something good to file away in the back of your minds or in your tech sheets Peace to all.

07-02-2012, 09:44 PM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: TECH: Distributor Shim Never thought of that but you are correct in that it would happen. __________________ 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

07-03-2012, 07:04 AM	#3
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: TECH: Distributor Shim That is a good idea. Another tip that I just found. I had my distributor off and noticed the locating pin was a sloppy fit in the head. you could turn the distributor back and forth when mounted. I turned a new pin for a snug fit in the head. The distributor sits there like a rock now. No need to over tighten the screw. John

07-03-2012, 07:36 AM	#4
Bruce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 489	Re: TECH: Distributor Shim Your new way may be easier, Phred, but the old filing/grinding way is better. It lowers the car's center of gravity.

07-03-2012, 08:04 AM	#5
Doug in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 965	Re: TECH: Distributor Shim So, when this situation occurs, what is actually holding up the distributor? Could there be an unwanted end thrust on the shaft that could wear out the sleeve or fiber washer at the bottom of the distributor? And could the distributor drive gear get pushed downwards and suffer? Doug __________________ My '31 S/W sedan project:http://31ford.dougbraun.com My restoration diary: http://dougbraun.com/blog

07-03-2012, 12:22 PM	#6
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: TECH: Distributor Shim Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Too add to Doug's response..... The "new" shaft/shafts could be bit long?

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