8n front mount distributor

[Kevin Godshall]

This message is a reply to an archived post by Tom N MS on May 15, 2008 at 16:00:49.
The original subject was "Re: 8n front mount distributor".

Can the shaft be off by 180 degrees? Or will this affect the proper firing of the plug in the cycle?

We had to replace a condenser in a front mount 2N, and as we went back to re-install the distributor, we wondered if the shaft had been rotated, or if it mattered?

 

[Anonymous-0]

It has a tang which is offset from center...so...it can't go in 180° out. That said...make sure that you don't force it by accident.

 

[Tom N MS]

Sometimes saying it can"t be installed 180 degrees out of time is not quite enough explanation..Many good distributors have been ruined because it feltlike or seemed to be in the right position. When re-installing the dist. just start the two bolts that hold it to the front of the engine. Now apply slight pressure against the dist(toward the engine) and turn the distrib shaft with the rotor cap..when it drops into p[osition tighten the two bolts down that hold it to the engine.Note: The distrib. tang has dropped into the slot in the cam if you have absolutely no crack/space between the base of the distrib. and the face of the engine.

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 19:52:48 07/03/09) Sometimes saying it can"t be installed 180 degrees out of time is not quite enough explanation..Many good distributors have been ruined because it feltlike or seemed to be in the right position. When re-installing the dist. just start the two bolts that hold it to the front of the engine. Now apply slight pressure against the dist(toward the engine) and turn the distrib shaft with the rotor cap..when it drops into p[osition tighten the two bolts down that hold it to the engine.Note: The distrib. tang has dropped into the slot in the cam if you have absolutely no crack/space between the base of the distrib. and the face of the engine.

And...

We have heard tales, where they had enough wear to go in 180* off, although they are not supposed to be able to do that.