Did I break my distributor?

[erichy]

I've had some issues with my distributor due to two set screws falling under the plate bending and binding the flyweights (I bought it this way and spent months figuring that out). I got that all straightened out but now I can't get it to run right. When I was clicking the engine over to get the lobe at the highest spot when setting the points I turned the shaft and forced it to get to the high point. I lost patience clicking the engine over 20 times and being a little off. I don't know why I did this but I did so did I break something? Is that shaft supposed to turn? Any input would help. Thanks please be easy on me.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Did I break my distributor?

I'm surprised you were able to turn it. You must have put a lot of force on it.
At the bottom of the distributor shaft is a gear that meshes with a gear on the camshaft. The crankshaft turns the camshaft and the camshaft turns the distributor shaft; if they're all working properly your distributor rotor will be in time with the rest of the engine and you get spark when you should.

If you forced the distributor shaft to turn when the crankshaft/camshaft was not turning, you've certainly broken something.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Did I break my distributor?

Ouch..You can turn it freely now?. How did you do that? Could ya of broken the roll pin? Maybe? Weird...

 

[captk]

Re: Did I break my distributor?

What kind if dist. do you have? If its a Mallory they have a hold down clamp on the rotor shaft that may have slipped.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Did I break my distributor?

What kind if dist. do you have?

Yeah that's a good question

 

[erichy]

Re: Did I break my distributor?

Yes it's a Mallory ignition I should have said that. I used my fingers to turn it so I bet it's the hold down clamp you mentioned. That's what it feels like, as if it's slipping and not like it snapped anything. I wish I wouldn't have messed with it. How do I get it set to the right spot?

 

[erichy]

Re: Did I break my distributor?

If I converted it to electronic ignition which one would I need? Can I use a Merc thunderbolt because I see a bunch of used ones out there.