1948 distributor rebuild

[Randy_Lahey]

Hi there,

I'm currently rebuilding the distributor in my '48 62 Series (Delco Remy). The car still has the 346.

I read here that the bottom piece has something offset? In other words you're supposed to be careful when taking it apart that it goes back together exactly how it came apart. Of course I read this AFTER disessmbly. Can anyone elaborate?

Secondly, the manual doesn't give any specs on shaft end play. It gives the advance curve and that's about it. Any ideas?

I left the distributor holder in the block. Fortunately my distributor bearings are in great shape.

Thanks,

David

[Steve Passmore]

You must leave the tower in place and just remove the head. It can only go back in one way.  I would take it to TDC firing on number one cylinder then remove it. Don't turn the engine over when you have it off and it will go back the same way.

[Randy_Lahey]

Thanks Steve. I only removed the head so the tower is still on the engine. Given the notch at the bottom of the tower, couldn't it go on 2 different ways 180 degrees off?

Thanks,

David

[Steve Passmore]

It could but then you would have the small timing adjuster facing backwards. more importantly if you remove the tower the inner shaft has a myriad of positions it can up up in and it will not locate again into the oil pump drive in the pan meaning a lot more work like taking the pan and oil pump off.

[Randy_Lahey]

Thanks Steve. I understand the housing only goes one way because of the smaller timing adjustment. I meant the inner distributor shaft could hypotheticallly go one 180 degrees the wrong way since it's keyed at the end. I guess worst case I can put it in 180 off and of it won't start I'll pull it and put in the other way.

Thanks,

David

[Steve Passmore]

No, the key is 'off set' It can only go in one way.

[Randy_Lahey]

Just wanted to say I got it all put back together with the new Pertronix and it seems to be working so far.  Thanks so much for the help.

Thanks,

David