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Missing Distributor Teeth
https://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66693		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  74A1Swinger [ Sun Jul 24, 2022 10:50 am ]
Post subject:  Missing Distributor Teeth
Well, I thought I was just finishing up some electrical issues and installing the last part of the puzzle, which was a Pertronix Ign. Module, when I discovered the rotor wasn't turning with the rest of the engine. So I pulled the distributor and found the drive gear teeth were stripped clean off.

I'm pretty sure I know the answer to my question, but I don't want to do any extras if I don't have to given it's summer and I gotta work out side. So, should I dump the oil pan to get the fragments out. And would there be issues else wear?

Thanks for feed back,
74
Author:  ceej [ Sun Jul 24, 2022 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
This can indicate a serious issue.

The distributor gear runs on the same gear that the oil pump does.

Pull it down and inspect the cam gear and oil pump gear. A failure here can be catastrophic.

I would not run the engine until I made a full inspection.

Look up "oil pump drive gear failure" here on the forum.

CJ
Author:  74A1Swinger [ Sun Jul 24, 2022 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
Thanks for the heads up! I'll Check that out and get back with ya. It may take a little time due to certain issues outside my control.

Thanks again,
74
Author:  Charrlie_S [ Sun Jul 24, 2022 1:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
Actually I wouldn't over think this. The distributer gear is plastic, and are known to fail, with age. I wouldn't pull the oil pump, or get inside the engine at this point. Get a flashlight, or if available a inspection video camera, and look down the distributer hole. See what the gears look like. Chances are you just need the dist. gear. If the oil pump gear had failed, I would be more concerned about the cam shaft.
If the cam and oil pump gears look OK, I wouldn't worry about the plastic distributer gear pieces in the engine.
Author:  74A1Swinger [ Sun Jul 24, 2022 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
I just got in from checking out the cam with a dental mirror and light. And I saw your post while signing in. I had the same thought.

The cam gear looks pretty good. The distributor gear has 3 teeth on one side all together that were sheared off (the way I worded it before sounded like all the teeth were messed up). I found 1 whole tooth in the bottom of the engine/dist. housing. The other teeth on the dist. gear look great, no wear!

I think I know how this happened. I was replacing the rotor while chasing down a no start/no spark/electrical issue (See Pertronix thread in electrical) and the rotor was stuck on the dist. shaft so, I used a 3" micro mini Pry bar to pop it off and I think that's when this happened. Cause it was on tight!

I think I'm going to change the oil to see if I can't get those other 2 pieces out.

74
Author:  74A1Swinger [ Sun Jul 24, 2022 6:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
Also, I was wondering since this is a newly rebuilt distributor (5-10,000 miles), I'm wondering if I need to re-drill the shaft holes for the new gear. I don't have a drill press to do exact work with (not sure I'd trust a hand drill).

What's the reasoning behind that anyhow? Can't you just check to see if the hole is still within tolerance?

Thanks,
74
Author:  Rick Covalt [ Sun Jul 24, 2022 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
Quote:
not sure I'd trust a hand drill
I always use a hand drill :D
Author:  Charrlie_S [ Mon Jul 25, 2022 3:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
I never drill a new hole in the shaft. Always use the old hole, and drill new hole in gear.
Author:  74A1Swinger [ Mon Jul 25, 2022 8:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
Quote:
Quote:
not sure I'd trust a hand drill
I always use a hand drill :D
:lol: :lol:

Yeah, that's what I thought too!
Author:  74A1Swinger [ Mon Jul 25, 2022 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
Quote:
I never drill a new hole in the shaft. Always use the old hole, and drill new hole in gear.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

There's always Gorilla Glue! : :D

My question comes to mind because, the 2 distributors I've got here looking at me were rebuilt from the box store and the shafts were only drilled once. And Mopar didn't say why in the FSM. And I know.... I'm just one of those guys that's gotta know why. :wink: Plus I'm wondering if I can get away with going the easy route and just popping the new gear on using the old hole.
Author:  Rick Covalt [ Mon Jul 25, 2022 11:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
No I don’t drill a new hole in the shaft, just the new gear.
Author:  kesteb [ Mon Jul 25, 2022 3:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
For most people it is simpler/easier to drill a new hole thru the gear and shaft, then trying to line up the gear to the old hole in the shaft and redrilling the gear.
Author:  74A1Swinger [ Mon Jul 25, 2022 7:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
OOOOOhhh! Can you tell I've never even seen a new gear. :oops: So they don't come predrilled? Well that explains everything. :) I thought you had to try to use predrilled holes in the gear and drill the shaft straight enough to line up with the holes in the gear. I've never been that good with a hand drill.

I thought you guys were kiddin me, that's why I was laughing. Ok I'm going to have to see which approach I'll be better at. Right now Rick and Charrlie's method look like a winner for me.

Sorry,
74
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Tue Jul 26, 2022 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
You do not need to drill your distributor shaft—if its hole is detectably wallowed out, the rest of the distributor is probably junk, too, then you'd want to start with a better distributor. See here (short) and here (long).
Author:  74A1Swinger [ Tue Jul 26, 2022 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Missing Distributor Teeth
Thanks Dan! That makes it really crystal clear. :D Now I just have to wait a little till the part gets here.
I can't thank you guys enough!

And you know I was only kiddin about the glue, right?

74
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