Locked out distributor advance question

[Dave Muller]

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

MSD distributor?

No, It's a Summit brand, whoever they got it from.

[Dave Muller]

I'll know more tomorrow morning when the distributor comes out, but my plan at the moment is to remove the gear, pull up enough to be able to slip in one or more flat washers as needed to take up the gap, then reassemble. With the right thickness of washers it should hold the plates together firmly when I tighten down on the nut.

Totally reversible too.

[Alan Nyhus]

Originally Posted by Dave Muller

No, It's a Summit brand, whoever they got it from.

The MSD units are known for not having enough threaded section on the little pin that locks the plates together. A flat or locking washer behind the nut takes care of it.

Something to check, anyway. -Al

[rod butcher]

I'd just set the timing at 3000 rpm as you get a few degrees of timing difference from idle to 3000 from distributor, cam/distributor gear clearances and cam end play.

[Dave Muller]

It's done, one small lock washer, probably for a #10 screw, fit perfectly. Did not noticeably increase the space between the two surfaces but was just enough to be able to tighten down firmly. No more movement at all.

[brian schuetta]

I thought the Summit brand distributors like the ready to run type were MSD. I found a pack of Moroso brand distributor shims at a speed shop a few months ago.

[Bruce Fulper]

I've been building distributors for 30 years, and no longer can find shim kits. If anyone knows please share. Thanks.

[GTOMayhem]

Originally Posted by Bruce Fulper

I've been building distributors for 30 years, and no longer can find shim kits. If anyone knows please share. Thanks.

https://www.competitionproducts.com/.../#.XOEV0aR7mUk


Rick Thomason
GTOMayhem

[Bruce Fulper]

Between all of the allowable tolerances of the cam and dist. gear and the rubber band up front, (timing chain) you'll never remove all of the slop. But don't worry about it. When it's floored its tightened up.

[Dave Muller]

Originally Posted by Bruce Fulper

Between all of the allowable tolerances of the cam and dist. gear and the rubber band up front, (timing chain) you'll never remove all of the slop. But don't worry about it. When it's floored its tightened up.

Agreed, when I said no more movement I meant in the centrifugal advance mechanism itself. There was no noticeable change in the gear clearance, and I didn't add to the shims.