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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 | ran a search but didn't find what my issue is so bear with me please. I cannot get the little screw thing on the side of the 235 distributor to tighten. I notice when I take distrib cap off and look inside the whole screw is turning. is there something wrong or how do I resolve? There is enough slack the wire coming from ballast resistor to distributor isn't tightened down good and the end of the points set won't stay in place. Your thoughts, THANK YOU, lefty | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | lefty, Does the little screw thing look like the part in this illustration? If it is, how are you tightening the round "nut" (screw thing?) that has the slot in it? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 | yes, tclederman, that is what it looks like. No matter what I try (small pliers, 2 flatheads, 1 flathead), the screw part that runs into the distributor is turning on the inside. I have to wonder if there is some clip or something missing on the inside. Without being able to tighten it up some, the wire from ballast isn't tight and the ignition points end is walking out from where it's supposed to fit? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | that "screw part" should have a keeper arrangement inside, like a shoulder on the head or a square plate with a tab, so yes you may be missing a part - that terminal commonly comes loose after 50 years of folks fiddling with it
Bill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 | Ok, that is what is wrong then, there isn't any sort of keeper inside the distributor, I'll have to see what I can figure out....thanks for the time to read and respond. it was hard for me to figure out because I just cannot see good and glasses only work well when it's not 90+ and humid (like here), they just turn into a sloppy mess and I couldn't see exactly what was wrong.... lefty | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 | Here is a possible replacement? ...link... | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,320 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,320 | A 1959 distributor uses a slightly different setup. Here is a link to pictures I took of the stock setup. It is very common for the tit to break off the inner insulator allowing the bolt to spin freely when tightening or loosening the outer nuts.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 | Thank you all, I have figured out what must be wrong. The picture Pre 68 Dave shared shows a stop in the bakelite (guess it's bakelite?) block for the little screw to be stopped with, mine has no such stop. I guess it is broken off, worn off, whatever, because there isn't any "stop". Another Scooby Doo mystery solved! Thanks again, lefty. | | |
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