The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop distributor grease cap

Can anybody share some knowledge on the grease cap on the distributor. I read that you should turn it every 1000 miles but dont really know much more than that.

If it is a screw on cap, it used stuff we called cup grease 50 years ago. It was a chassis lube without waterproof characteristics. Cup grease has not been available for many years, but any chassis grease will work. Put a little in the cap and screw it on.

You're correct, one turn every 1k, it should be filled with chassis grease, don't use the heavy wheel bearing stuff, use the light chassis grease. The old vehicles need a lot more care than what we are used to with todays cars. You should wipe a little light film of grease on the distributor cam also every few thousand miles. The points used to have a phenolic rubbing block which had no self lubricating qualities. The new rubbing blocks are made from a self lubricating material like Delrin that actually lasts longer and requires less care but still a light coat of grease on the cam insures that they won't wear down to soon.
Also there should be a small felt pad or wick under the rotor, a few drops of oil on this at the same time lubs the cam also.
That's about all there is to it. Just don't over lubricate all that will do is dirty up the insides of your distributor and cause problems with your ignition system.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks alot. It sure is nice to be able to get help with all the questions that can come up. The amount of knowledge here is priceless.