The idle in my newly rebuilt 170 is a bit wobbly. in checking it out, I discovered that the timing mark was wandering by about 5 degrees. I don't think the harmonic balancer is loose, and all timing gear parts are brand new, so I'm thinking the distributor shaft is worn. Is there a way to test it by checking for looseness on something?

I've currently got a pertronix kit in my distributor. If the distributor is worn I plan to just move the pertronix into a new distributor. Are there any distributor upgrades worth doing that would still work with the pertronix kit?

thanks!

tim

I had the same problem with my 1980 Aspen. I did not believe my distributor was excessively worn, but after installing an NOS unit, the timing mark is rock steady.

Mitch

Erratic timing at idle can be due to excessive end float as the helical gear tends to push the shaft up. End play is easily removed by shimming.

John