I?ve been working on old cars, trucks & tractors now for over 50 years. Whenever possible, I get OEM component parts rebuilt. Given the high probability that any new component part purchased for an N tractor is made somewhere overseas w/o adequate quality control, chances are very good that you will be disappointed.
" I would love to fix my old distributor, but it has too much end play in its shaft and needs both front and rear bushings and a new shaft because the lobes are pretty worn."
So?
Repair it.
These guys should be able to help you w/ used parts:
John Smith smith8NATatt.net
Rod Mondor fltractorATpeoplepc.com
Replace the AT in the address w/ @
Rod forest lake tractor 651 464 4628
There are three ways to replace the bushings in a front distributor:
1. Buy new bushings (part numbers 9N12120 front & 18-12132 rear). Press out the old ones, press in the new ones and ream to fit. CAUTION: do not try this unless you have a press & know how to use it. If you break the base, a new one costs $130. If you bend the tower which holds the front bushing, a new plate will cost you $30.
2. Take the new bushings and distributor to your local machine shop.
3. Send the distributor out for bushing replacement if you do not have a local machine shop.
Make sure your distributor isn?t worn out; check the wear parts with a micrometer and compare what you have to the factory specs (below).
Factory Specs:
Shaft top .4367 / .4370
Shaft Bottom .8625 / .8630
Cam Flats .789 / .791
Cam Lobes .869 / .871
Base Tang .177 / .178
75 Tips