Pelican Parts Forums - Replace dist. washers with different material?

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Replace dist. washers with different material?

I was stripping my distributor down and one of the fiber washers all but disintegrated in my hand. I need to get a replacement. I'm pretty sure I can't buy them anywhere, but if you have a source please shout it out.

So I looked all over for Phenolic Washers and didn't find squat that was even close to the dims. I'm wondering if I can replace it with a nylon or Teflon instead as I can buy one that is close in dims and drill it out as needed.

Ideas?

the dims are:
OD: ~20.8mm
ID: ~12.8mm
Thickness: ~0.84mm

I believe I can sub a washer that is near that thickness as long as I have some play on the shaft.

Best regards,

Michael

Michael - the washers are usually punched from sheet stock - you may find a gasket type sheet material that is appropriate. Try your local auto parts store.

Regards,

John

Michael, sent you a PM

Thats the same as my 912 dizzy and should be any old VW, Was there thin steel spacer shim washers on either side? Make sure to keep the end play to a minimum or your timing will be jumpy.

Yes, there were two steel shim washers on either side. I'll look into the VW/912 rebuild kit and see what happens. I'll let you know how I make out. If it doesn't I may try to source these on my own. there has to be a bunch of people on this board that would go for a few of them ;)

-Michael

http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?pagenum=3161

how about the 3/8" phenolic size on the above page? I know the dims are a bit off, but you could open the ID and thin them if the OD works. Also the page gives you a nice idea of what temperature ranges different materials have

Also take a look at the PTFE (teflon) and Nylatron washers on page 3160

I have received the 912/356 distributor rebuild kit from Stoddards. It has a new Phenolic washer in the kit. there are also several shim washer that I will use to reduce shaft end play... IF I knew what the spec was... ANYONE???

Parts in red rectangle are unknown to me from taking 2 SC distributors apart. Parts in green rectangle are the same as parts on my distributors. Red circle is my broken washer; green circle is the replacement:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1207868141.jpg

So good news for me :) I might just order a few more of these kits for spares. Usable parts:

1 Phenolic washer
1x 0.07mm shim washer
2x 0.09mm shim washers
3x 0.19mm shim washers
3x 0.28mm shim washers
2 'E' clips (clip the weights on the weight shafts)
2 replacement felts

The shim washers are the same as:

the small washer at the end of the shaft between the gear and phenolic washer
the small washer above the phenolic washer as the shaft enters the distributor cup

KTL:

Measuring the new washer and comparing on the link you posted I would be happy to go with a 1/2" Low-Friction and Chemical-Resistant UHMW Polyethylene ID - 0.515" OD - 0.885". The ID of the new washer is 0.505" and the OD is 0.808". the only concern is the thickness being ~0.02"+ greater. New washer is 0.030" thick. It could be entirely possible to fit one of these with different shims and get a perfectly workable solution.

Best regards,

Michael

Can you get it around .005? That would help limit any jumpy timing..

I'll see. I'm awaiting the little replacement pin, but I'll slip a small drift in there and see how that works. The question is, do I shim the bottom or the top or both?

-Michael

I had the same thing happen to mine and the advice that I received was to use hardened steel washers in place of the fiber washer. Aaron AKA BURN_BROS wrote

Quote:

Check for wear both radially and axially. You will see more wear in the housing's upper bushing. If there is excessive wear the housing will need to be re bushed. Avoid using the fiber washers when you reassemble as they are prone to breaking. Replace them with hardened washers and set end-play around .005" to .010"

Here is is the link to the thread that this came fromhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/326574-carrera-distributor-mechanical-advance.html?highlight=distributor

With my drift it measures 0.0015-0.002". Those are the only feelers I could get in there. It spins freely. This is with the shims that were in there. I figured I'd see where I was with the original parts before moving on... I'm good.

Oh... I just remembered I have a spare unused pin on a twin plug I put away in a box ;) BRB

Yeah it is 0.0015" with the pin in there but not mushroomed. Should be good to go.

Best regards,

Michael

I reset the play to 0.0055" per the post from Aaron. However, I left the new Phenolic washer in there. The last one lasted 25 years... I tested the twin plug as well and it was 0.0035. I'll leave it there I guess.

Best regards,

Michael