Essex V6 distributor, I need one!

[hallsie]

Has anyone got an Essex V6 distributor knocking about?

Ive had a minor problem with the Taimar and she stopped on me early Saturday morning following a loud crack similar to s seized bolt snapping off, and from initial investigations it appears that the dizzy isn't turning when I turn the crank, but as I tried to pull the distributor out it kinda broke.

So, even if it turns out that the dizzy wasn't the problem, then I will still need a replacement!

Beer tokens waiting!

Thanks

Stu

[prideaux]

hallsie said:

Has anyone got an Essex V6 distributor knocking about?

Ive had a minor problem with the Taimar and she stopped on me early Saturday morning following a loud crack similar to s seized bolt snapping off, and from initial investigations it appears that the dizzy isn't turning when I turn the crank, but as I tried to pull the distributor out it kinda broke.

So, even if it turns out that the dizzy wasn't the problem, then I will still need a replacement!

Beer tokens waiting!

Thanks

Stu

I have one that I think you could gut and make one good one with if its a help the top where the electronic ignition was fitted was to messed about with when someone replaced it
A

[ausi steve]

Apart from the dist problem you broke, the fact that the dist did not turn when you rotated the crankshaft may mean that you have a broken cam gear. If it is a broken cam gear fit an alloy gear.Do not worry about the noise from a metal gear, it is hardly noticeable above the other car noises. I had a similar problem a few months ago.

[hallsie]

ausi steve said:

Apart from the dist problem you broke, the fact that the dist did not turn when you rotated the crankshaft may mean that you have a broken cam gear. If it is a broken cam gear fit an alloy gear.Do not worry about the noise from a metal gear, it is hardly noticeable above the other car noises. I had a similar problem a few months ago.

Thanks Steve

I haven't had time to investigate further, but will report back as soon as I know.

The engine is brand new (rebuilt) only 1500 miles ago with new FIBRE timing gears and the original dizzy, so Im hoping its the weakest link........the dizzy

Stu

[ATE399J]

What type of dizzy is it? I have the remains of several FoMoCo dizzys that you would be welcome to. I'm in Kent, near Ashford.

[Adrian@]

hallsie said:

ausi steve said:

Apart from the dist problem you broke, the fact that the dist did not turn when you rotated the crankshaft may mean that you have a broken cam gear. If it is a broken cam gear fit an alloy gear.Do not worry about the noise from a metal gear, it is hardly noticeable above the other car noises. I had a similar problem a few months ago.

Thanks Steve

I haven't had time to investigate further, but will report back as soon as I know.

The engine is brand new (rebuilt) only 1500 miles ago with new FIBRE timing gears and the original dizzy, so Im hoping its the weakest link........the dizzy

Stu

Sadly there is nothing that 'should' have broke on the dissy, my money is on the fibre timing gear (singular, as the crank gear is steel) there is a spray of oil on to the meshing point from a 2mm hole, which blocks up if the engine has stood for long periods or cheap oil used, that MUST be checked when a new gear is fitted, if this is not done the gear lubrication is only what ever it can get from the oil splashing around as you drive.
Adrian@

[anonymous-user]

Burton can provide new.

[hallsie]

ausi steve said:

Apart from the dist problem you broke, the fact that the dist did not turn when you rotated the crankshaft may mean that you have a broken cam gear. If it is a broken cam gear fit an alloy gear.Do not worry about the noise from a metal gear, it is hardly noticeable above the other car noises. I had a similar problem a few months ago.

And the prize for being annoyingly correct goes to Steve!





Oh dear!

[prideaux]

hallsie said:

And the prize for being annoyingly correct goes to Steve!





Oh dear!

I have some araldite you can use when you pick up the distributer mate
I would kind of like to know why this happened Stu ?
A

[hallsie]

prideaux said:

I have some araldite you can use when you pick up the distributer mate
I would kind of like to know why this happened Stu ?
A

Me too, it was a brand new out of the packet gear, built by a very talented and respected engine builder.

The next question that I don't want to ask is 'are the valves all bent?'

but im thinking I don't want the answer, you never know, I may need to post very soon in your 'non OE engine' thread!

[plasticpig72]

i hope there is not too much damage. I am sure glad my V6 has a metal timing gear from Burtons.
Is there an easy way to see what timing gear has been fitted

[ATE399J]

hallsie said:

ausi steve said:

Apart from the dist problem you broke, the fact that the dist did not turn when you rotated the crankshaft may mean that you have a broken cam gear. If it is a broken cam gear fit an alloy gear.Do not worry about the noise from a metal gear, it is hardly noticeable above the other car noises. I had a similar problem a few months ago.

And the prize for being annoyingly correct goes to Steve!





Oh dear!

Ouch!!!

[hallsie]

plasticpig72 said:

i hope there is not too much damage. I am sure glad my V6 has a metal timing gear from Burtons.
Is there an easy way to see what timing gear has been fitted

take the mechanical fuel pump out and stick a magnet on the teeth, sticky = steel, non sticky = toffee

[bluezeeland]

Blimey, Stu, bad luck mate !

I've got a fibre one knocking about, but really think you should get a alloy one (bit noisier, but only a little)

Fear a valves and push-rod inspection is in order here.........

Frank

[hallsie]

Well, as an round up to this little problem:-

The PLASTIC gear on the cam had obliterated as per the previous photos.

It appears that a patent part had been fitted and had let go.

A new Ford timing gear (not metal) was fitted, and yes I know you are all going to say 'you should have fitted a metal one' but its my car and Ill do as I wish,
So, I started compression testing as I went and number 4 pot was down at 65.
I continued stripped further to investigate, and rocker covers off revealed a banana style push rod stuck in place, (all others pots sowed 165-170.)

I inspected all the other push rods and most showed signs of a bendy nature.

after removal of said bananas and inspection of the top end with a boreoscope, it appeared that there was no further damage.
Next, all of the push rods were replaced with shiny new ones, and the tappets were set 3, yes 3 times!

following this, everything was put back on, sump cleaned and refitted etc etc and new oil in.

Then, following a very kind fella called Phil giving me a distributor for free, the car started FIRST TIME.

for completion, I took the car to a place called B D Engineering in Gillingham, and he spent 3 hours tuning and adjusting everything, and set up the car perfectly on the rolling road.

She is now running like a new car once again.

Im pleased as punch!!

Stu

Edited the Fibre to Plastic gear. still not metal.

Edited by hallsie on Sunday 14th December 11:50

[Dollyman1850]

hallsie said:

Well, as an round up to this little problem:-

The fibre gear on the cam had obliterated as per the previous photos.

It appears that a patent part had been fitted and had let go.

A new Ford timing gear (not metal) was fitted, and yes I know you are all going to say 'you should have fitted a metal one' but its my car and Ill do as I wish,
So, I started compression testing as I went and number 4 pot was down at 65.
I continued stripped further to investigate, and rocker covers off revealed a banana style push rod stuck in place, (all others pots sowed 165-170.)

I inspected all the other push rods and most showed signs of a bendy nature.

after removal of said bananas and inspection of the top end with a boreoscope, it appeared that there was no further damage.
Next, all of the push rods were replaced with shiny new ones, and the tappets were set 3, yes 3 times!

following this, everything was put back on, sump cleaned and refitted etc etc and new oil in.

Then, following a very kind fella called Phil giving me a distributor for free, the car started FIRST TIME.

for completion, I took the car to a place called B D Engineering in Gillingham, and he spent 3 hours tuning and adjusting everything, and set up the car perfectly on the rolling road.

She is now running like a new car once again.

Im pleased as punch!!

Stu

Ford made literally millions of essex engines all with fibre timing gears and despite the web proliferated myths regarding stripping of fibre timing gears you very rarely see them.. if you are building v high performance engines then yes you upgrade and generally do so because you want to go fast above all else. If you upgrade then really you should also change the bottom toothed sprocket as well..This generally is why people who go to an ally or steel timing gear complain of noise..Your fibre one however will bed in against the existing..

Replacement fibre gears are more than adequate for road cars and will be quiet so you have made a good choice in my opinion.

You may however notice an increase whine for a few months as the new gear beds in against the old one.

N.

[Adrian@]

The difference between 'fibre' and 'nylon' here
Adrian@

[Dollyman1850]

Adrian@ said:

The difference between 'fibre' and 'nylon' here
Adrian@

Hi Adrian.

Nylon being a form of fibre I wasn't making a distinction between many variants of fibre timing gear which may have been superseded over the years as technology improved. That said regardless of the type I have never seen that many which have failed but I dare say you have had more essex engines apart than me. My essex experience is limited to capri's and Granadas.

http://essexengines.com/pistons.htm

Linky to a good company who sells alloy timing gears as a matched set if anyone does want to upgrade.

N.

Edited by Dollyman1850 on Sunday 14th December 15:09

[Slow M]

Can any of you tell me, why this part is not available in Bronze? It would seem, to me, that it would outlast Aluminium alloy by an epoch, or an era.

Best,
B.

[Dollyman1850]

Slow M said:

Can any of you tell me, why this part is not available in Bronze? It would seem, to me, that it would outlast Aluminium alloy by an epoch, or an era.

Best,
B.

And be very very very expensive, not to mention very very very heavy??

N.