Re: Play in dist. shaft

Posted by Bob Carabbio on August 03, 1997 at 04:40:37

In Reply to: Play in dist. shaft
posted by JIM on August 02, 1997 at 22:18:16

In the engines I've dealt with lately, the prime cause of angular play has been degeneration of the gearset that drives the distributer/oil pump.The drive gear that meshes with the cam shaft generally shows a LOT of wear to the degree that the teeth will actually be sharp at the tip.There's normally corresponding wear on the cam that you can't do anything about without replacing the cam.
If you don't see significant wear in the drive tangs, I'd check the condition of the small drive gear which could be done by removing the manifolds and valve chamber cover. then removing the big spring that holds the drive gear down and lifting it up and out.
I don't know about the quality of replacement gears, but everybody sells them I've been able to find GOOD originals at swap meets.
Another problem area can be the spring plug that pre-loads the cam shaft back against its thrust surface in front.if it hasn't been checked this decade, it could be stuck in it's bore, allowing end float in the cam.The last two motors I pulled apart were stuck in the retracted position.

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