The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay wobbly distributor

The distributor on my '46, 216, wobbles around with the engine running. Would this effect engine performance? I'm sure it can't help it. Is it a big deal to fix this? I've never worked on a distributor before except changing points, etc. The cap on the grease cup is stuck, so I'm sure no one's lubed it for a long time. Thanks, Jacques

First, what is wobbling? The entire distributor or the shaft? If the entire distributor, is it clamped to the block properly? Is the vacuum advance working? If its the internal shaft, take the distributor to the parts store and trade it for a rebuild.

I'd like to piggyback a question on your's, if you don't mind Swampcat.

The grease cup on my 235 distributor is about in the same shape as you describe. I managed to get mine loose after a couple of applications of penetrating oil. It was bottomed out so I suspect any grease is long gone. I got a rebuilt distributor from Chevy Duty as a spare and it has a plug where the grease cup goes.

My question is how and with what do you refill the grease cup? Where do you find replacement fibre plug and plug spring for the grease cup?

Fred T, the whole thing wobbles while it's running and when I stop it and remove the cap, the shaft has a good bit of play in it when I move it sideto side.
Laroke, I think the book calls for chassis grease in the cup. You might have to check out a junk yard for another cup with the plug and spring in it. I may have to do the same once I get mine off. Thanks, Jacques

Laroke, is that spring and fiber plug held in the distributor housing hole by the end of the cup? I was thinkin' they were in the tip of the cup, but now I think I was mistaken, I think. Jacques

Jacques, I would go ahead and get a rebuild. Sounds like your shaft is worn. You can easily destroy your engine if the timing shifts at speed. Had that happen with a 478 V6 once, picked up a piece of block about six inches in diameter. the mechanic had shimmed the worn shaft while he waited for a new distributor to arrive. I blew the engine the next day....

You're right about the chassis grease, Jacques. It's right there in the Owner's Manual. In the computer business, we're always telling users to RTFM (Read the "Fine" Manual). Looks like I got caught not following my own advice. Thanx

I don't know how the fibre plug and spring fit yet. I was going to pull it today while doing some other maintenance but I got rained on hard (twice) in the shadetree garage after I got all the tools out. Then I noticed my grease gun was empty. I retreated to cussing under my breath and putting the tools away again. Will try it again next week.

I know 53 4 me's distributor did the old ally oop when the engine ran and he had a slight hesitation in it when he started out. He sent it out to rebuilder and he swears it's running like a new truck. (That's because it basically is a new truck!...lol)

Anyway, the rebuilder will put all new bushings in it and get it all trued up and running right. That's the place I'd go.

Sounds good Oldkar! Someone told me about there being a rebuild kit available, with new bushings and new distributor shaft. Anybody do this before? My machine shop consists of workbench, vise, hammer, a punch, chisel and a few odd wrenches and screwdrivers. I do my best machine work with the garage door open abouth halfway and the fan blowin' fullspeed. Jacques