The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Looking for a distributor part for 235

While installing a new set of points in my '56 235 distributor, a piece of plastic chipped on the Insulated Terminal Assembly (where the points and condensor cable attach to the inside of the distributer). This part is shown in the 1955 Chevrolet Truck Manual, on page 6y-45. The Terminal Assembly actually consists of 7 individual pieces. I went to the local parts stores and nothing like that available, went to my library of resources, and came up with nothing. Anyone have any idea where this might be available? The one I have works, but, feel much better getting the new assembly.

The basic distributor didn't change for nearly 20 years, so finding a complete distributor will probably be simpler than finding bits & pieces. Try a thread in the "parts wanted" forum. I'm sure somebody has one lying around gathering dust on a shelf!
Jerry

I think there were at least three significant changes in the last 11 years of the 216/235/261 distributors:

1. Rotor and cap changed (in 1953?)
2. Cam gear changed (in 1953 or 1954?)
3. Primary Terminal changed (in 1953 - see link below)

It looks like you are referring to the later style Primary Terminal (you might be able to use the earlier style terminal assembly but the later style has "stops" in the Bakelite pieces and seems to be a better design and it matches the hole through the distributor body (you need to obtain or make a special tool to tighten the round "nut" used on these 1953 and later distributors.

Maybe someone knows a vendor that sells the 1953-1963 distributor's Primary Terminal but I agree with Jerry - look for a 1954 or newer used or rebuilt distributor (try an ad in the Swap Meet - maybe someone will send you the terminal assembly). I think that all 1954 and later distributors had a cam gear that was safe with the later cams.

Thanks to everone, and tclederman, the links you posted are EXACTLY like mine!

As far as the tool you can make one by grinding a flat blade screwdriver ,I used a snuby and ground it with my small grinder and a cut off wheel.

The parts ,go to a junk yard and look for a 60s chevy and pull the parts or take the whole dis.

Take care,Pete

RoyRogers--somehow your post telling me to check my PM, and my post acknowledging it got deleted, but do know I greatly appreciate what you are doing.

Must be my magnetic personality.