SIDE MOUNT DISTRIBUTOR WEAR LIMITS

[Dollar Bill]

This past Winter I installed a new Tisco distributor and have run the tractor less than 20 hours.

I have the dist out for engine overhaul and noticed the side play seemed excessive. Measuring side play with a dial indicator it's showing .025 - Is that within reason?

 

[Jerry/MT]

The spec's that I have seen for radial play on the distributor shaft/bushing is more like 0.002". Your 0.025" is more than ten times that. Rotate the engine til the points close and push on the shaft radially (from the side) in several different directions watching the points. They should not move.

 

[Dollar Bill]

The engine is at the machine shop so I can't try your recommendation but I don't think it being mounted in the engine would make any difference in the side-to-side play.

When I originally installed the replacement distributor it was tight clearance-wise.

The only tolerance limits I could find in the FO-4 manual were for up/down end play which is specd at 0.003 - 0.009. Where would I find side limits?

Is is unreasonable to ask the seller to warranty it?

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 13:49:46 08/01/09) The engine is at the machine shop so I can't try your recommendation but I don't think it being mounted in the engine would make any difference in the side-to-side play.

When I originally installed the replacement distributor it was tight clearance-wise.

The only tolerance limits I could find in the FO-4 manual were for up/down end play which is specd at 0.003 - 0.009. Where would I find side limits?

Is is unreasonable to ask the seller to warranty it?

Did you oil it?

 

[John Smith8N]

The only bushing in those is near the top. The bottom of the shaft is only supported when it's inserted into the timing cover bore. They will wobble a lot when removed but get considerably better when they are installed in the timing cover. Mount it in the cover and then recheck the side play.

 

[Dollar Bill]

The replacement distributors don't have (or at least mine didn't) the oil cup like OEM. All it has is a little check valve looking thing that sorta points down hill.

It seems to oil itself via a spiral groove cut into the distributor shaft.

It was getting plenty of oil - So much that it was blowing past the check valve (where the oil cup would go) an all over the side of the tractor.

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 14:34:23 08/01/09)
The replacement distributors don't have (or at least mine didn't) the oil cup like OEM. All it has is a little check valve looking thing that sorta points down hill.

It seems to oil itself via a spiral groove cut into the distributor shaft.

It was getting plenty of oil - So much that it was blowing past the check valve (where the oil cup would go) an all over the side of the tractor.

That's interesting.

 

[Dollar Bill]

Thanks John - It just seems a lot looser now than it was 6 months ago.

When new, there wasn't any side movement - Even when it wasn't mounted in the engine. Is it reasonable to wear that much with such little use? Or is it just initial wear in?

What would be acceptable side play for a six month old ($200.00) distributor?

 

[Dollar Bill]

Yeah, interesting.

If I had it to do over - I would have rebuilt the original. The parts cost for rebuilding it was about the same as a new one and the quality of parts just aren't what they used to be so I chose the new unit thinking it would be the smarter move. Live and learn.

 

[John Smith8N]

I'm no fan of aftermarket parts unless originals are simply not available. There's a lot of junk out there being sold to unsuspecting victims. I don't know what limits would be, but to my way of thinking, anything more than .002" or .003" would be too much. That's with the distributor installed in the timing cover and bolted down. More than that and dwell would be all over the place. It should take 20 years to wear out, not 6 months.

 

[John Smith8N]

(quoted from post at 18:39:04 08/01/09)

(quoted from post at 14:34:23 08/01/09)
The replacement distributors don't have (or at least mine didn't) the oil cup like OEM. All it has is a little check valve looking thing that sorta points down hill.

It seems to oil itself via a spiral groove cut into the distributor shaft.

It was getting plenty of oil - So much that it was blowing past the check valve (where the oil cup would go) an all over the side of the tractor.

That's interesting.

Interesting is an understatement. That would be downright unique.

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 17:52:10 08/01/09)

(quoted from post at 18:39:04 08/01/09)

(quoted from post at 14:34:23 08/01/09)
The replacement distributors don't have (or at least mine didn't) the oil cup like OEM. All it has is a little check valve looking thing that sorta points down hill.

It seems to oil itself via a spiral groove cut into the distributor shaft.

It was getting plenty of oil - So much that it was blowing past the check valve (where the oil cup would go) an all over the side of the tractor.

That's interesting.

Interesting is an understatement. That would be downright unique.

So, John, you felt that dripping with a bit of facetiousness?

It was.....

 

[Dollar Bill]

I think you're right about needing to have it installed.

When I get the motor back, I'll check it in the block.

Thanks again for the advise.