Locked out distributor advance question

ss3011 · 05-12-2019, 03:17 PM

Two things come to mind . First , if you tack weld the plates ,t will be very hard to index the distributor cap . It would be better to drill a hole through both plates then file a slot in one , so you can move the reluctor around to get the timing and the cap index correct . Second is to shim the shaft to get minimum endplay on the gear .

Alan Nyhus · 05-12-2019, 05:32 PM

MSD distributor?

Dave Muller · 05-12-2019, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

MSD distributor?

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

Dave Muller · 05-12-2019, 07:07 PM

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 · 05-13-2019, 08:36 AM

Quote:

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 · 05-13-2019, 08:48 AM

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 · 05-13-2019, 01:08 PM

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 · 05-18-2019, 08:40 AM

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 · 05-18-2019, 02:03 PM

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

Bruce Fulper · 05-16-2019, 01:27 AM

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.

05-12-2019, 05:32 PM	#2
Alan Nyhus VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lower Dakota territory Posts: 1,180 Likes: 1,074 Liked 799 Times in 236 Posts	Re: Locked out distributor advance question MSD distributor? __________________ "That'll never work....."

05-12-2019, 07:07 PM	#4
Dave Muller Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 497 Likes: 162 Liked 223 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Locked out distributor advance question 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.

05-13-2019, 08:48 AM	#6
rod butcher Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 252 Likes: 305 Liked 132 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Locked out distributor advance question 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.

05-13-2019, 01:08 PM	#7
Dave Muller Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 497 Likes: 162 Liked 223 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Locked out distributor advance question 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.

05-18-2019, 08:40 AM	#8
brian schuetta Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san antonio tx Posts: 259 Likes: 5 Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Locked out distributor advance question 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.

05-12-2019, 03:17 PM	#1
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 910 Likes: 70 Liked 239 Times in 114 Posts	Re: Locked out distributor advance question Two things come to mind . First , if you tack weld the plates ,t will be very hard to index the distributor cap . It would be better to drill a hole through both plates then file a slot in one , so you can move the reluctor around to get the timing and the cap index correct . Second is to shim the shaft to get minimum endplay on the gear .

05-18-2019, 02:03 PM	#9
Bruce Fulper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 651 Likes: 4 Liked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Locked out distributor advance question I've been building distributors for 30 years, and no longer can find shim kits. If anyone knows please share. Thanks.

05-16-2019, 01:27 AM	#10
Bruce Fulper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 651 Likes: 4 Liked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Locked out distributor advance question 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.