Distributor refit

[SteveOS3]

When refitting the distributor tonight we had problems with the shaft at the bottom of the hole the dizzy fits into; it was loose and kept moving off-centre so it took a lot of fiddling to get it to mate properly.

Any idea what this shaft is/does?

Cheers.

[MisterTee]

I had the same problem when refitting mine after changing the o-ring - it was a right fiddle! Wouldn’t care, but I don’t think I’ve cured the oil leak either.

I think it’s the drive for the oil pump, but I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong!

Andy

[GreenV8S]

That would be the distributor and oil pump drive shaft.

[greymrj]

Yes, it is the drive for the oil pump. The cam drives the distributor shaft, that shaft has a hex centre which in turn drives the oil pump shaft. Clearly it important that the distributor rotor points in the right direction relative to the engine timing but it doesn't matter which position the oil pump drive is in. The oil pump shaft isn't very well located when the distributor is out but it should only move a little, if it flops about then it suggests the hex at the bottom that engages with the pump is well worn. Difficult to get at to test, but there should be very little free rotational movement in that shaft.

[SteveOS3]

We fashioned a tool from a wire coat hanger and used it to see if the shaft would rotate or lift - it did't - it just flopped off-centre.

It's back on now so I'm happy.

Thanks for the info'.

Steve

[phillpot]

MisterTee said:

I don’t think I’ve cured the oil leak either.

I thought it was the distributor O ring on mine but turned out to be the back of the inlet manifold. The manifold gasket, if you've not seen one, has thicker cork strips set in the ends. Some of the after market ones I've seen (bought) are not very well made.