70 Distributor Clamp Bolt?

[Ralph B.]

Is the distributor clamp bolt supossed to have a zinc or phosphate head finish, and is there any sort of washers required? (aluminum intake application)
Thank you!
Ralph

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Distributor Clamp Bolt?

Mine is dark phosphate. My memory is a split lock washer, but I will have to look.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 Distributor Clamp Bolt?

Mine is dark phosphate. My memory is a split lock washer, but I will have to look.

Terry and Ralph----


I don't think that any washer was originally used. It was just a plain (i.e. non flanged), trimmed (i.e. non-indented), phosphate-finished, hex head bolt right against the distributor clamp. I'm sure that's how it was on my 1969 and I believe the same set-up was used for many years after 1969. This was a DUMB thing to do. The bolt should have been a FLANGED head bolt, preferably with a serrated contact surface.

[Rich P.]

Re: 70 Distributor Clamp Bolt?

Ralph as said before it is originally Black Phosphate 3/8-16 Grade 5. No washer.
Joe I think the engineeres must have thought that because it is a tension clamp (both the wire and plate type) that the preload of the clamp would hold it in place. Thats my uneducated guess.

Rich

[Steven G.]

Re: 70 Distributor Clamp Bolt?

No washers used, we snugged them down peaked timming and sometimes forgot to re-torque clamp bolt, but never caused any problems if you had oil pressure. Steve

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Distributor Clamp Bolt?

Is the distributor clamp bolt supossed to have a zinc or phosphate head finish, and is there any sort of washers required? (aluminum intake application)
Thank you!
Ralph

I was wrong about the washer -- as others have noted.

And for the eagle-eyed: I have no clue what or why the blue paint is on the hold-down and distributor. I didn't put it there. I did take the car to a race track once when it was new, but I don't remember them doing more than looking at the engine, but ?????