1971 Distributor

[Craig H.]

Hi

I have stripped down my distributor from my 71 350 (270).

The bottom gear was on 180 degrees out and there was .025 end play but almost no side movement at all.

When I got it all apart I found a washer on top of the upper bearing between bearing and weight base.

There were no shims at gear drive.

From the diagrams I have reviewed I cant see any that show a washer used above the top bearing.

Could this possibly be someones attempt to remove end play without the correct shims ?

Also would this not move the rotor slightly higher than normal - closer to cap ?

Craig

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 Distributor

Craig, I have rebuilt a few distributors and can't recall a shim on the top. aways between the gear and lower housing. someone has been there before on your dist. I don't think there is any harm that can be done. do you have a pic.s of what they used? just wondering.I believe that the lower washer was more of a thrust washer than a shim. When the Dist. is dropped into the block the oil pump drive shaft engages and I Believe that will keep the Dist. from having any up and down motion.

The important parts to be concerned with are the housing bushings, once worn the tach. drive gears will wipe out. and checking the mechanical advance springs, and vaccum advance operation.

[Craig H.]

Re: 1971 Distributor

Thanks for your reply Edward

Here is the washer next to a shim used on the drive gear.



Here is where it was in the distributor.



It would have raised the rotor assembly slightly and reduced the end play.

[Patrick S.]

Re: 1971 Distributor

Craig, don't know if this is the case with your distributor,but some rebuilders use this washer to tighten the side to side clearance by moving the wear surface between the mainshaft and bushing up a small amount.Try reassembling the distributor without the washer and see if its still tight? Pat

[Jim T.]

Re: 1971 Distributor

Craig the washer shims are GM part # 1837617 on my package I bought some time ago and has five of the shims in it. I have used these shims to remove the play in my 68 and 70's distributors.

[Craig H.]

Re: 1971 Distributor

Thanks guys

There is no noticeable movement in the top bush and a small amount in the bottom one.

The shaft shows some wear marks where it has been contacting the bottom bush.

Will replace at least the bottom bush and put it back together.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1971 Distributor

Craig,

That washer looks like what's used in the TI distributor under the rotating pole piece. Find a picture of a TI distributor and compare.