Z29 distributor

[Ray Carlson]

Does anyone have a fix for the weak clamp style distributor hold down/retainer? The camshaft rotation wants to jack the dist. up out of the block. Also there is a messy oil leak there because of the poor fit etc. An O ring there has not even slowed the oil down.Now the slot is broken out of the clamp where the bolt goes into the block...HELP

 

[Jerry/MT]

First you'll have to make sure that the cam isn't moving due to a worn thrust plate. that's was causing the distributor to pop up. try www.philbingroup.com. they rebuild these old distributors and they might have a hold down clamp.

 

[Ray Carlson]

Thanks Jerry, I hadn't thot about cam thrust. I should be able to detect that down thru the dist. hole. I have gone thru the dist., but will try your suggestion on a source for a hold down. Thx, Ray

 

[RonW]

Your problem will be what Jerry mentioned, in that the cam is moving. No clamp is going to hold down the dist until you make some repairs. I learned this the hard way. You will need to pull the front cover off the motor and tighten the nut on the end of the camshaft. I will almost guarantee that this will fix your problem. Check the thrust plate that Jerry mentioned and replace if badly worn. Good luck. RonW

 

[Ray Carlson]

Ron, thanks for the info...as you said, I have worked that clamp over, but to no avail. I will tear down as suggested & do nec repairs to get the cam stabilized. Thx again, Ray