Why Are Fuel Distributors So Expensive to Rebuild?

Sunroof · 03-21-2005, 05:17 AM

The last remaining component I have not rebuilt or replaced on my 1973.5T CIS fuel system is the original fuel distributor. I understand that the fuel orifices are less then the diameter of a human hair, the plunger will get tacky and stick, and that rebuilding is essentially a cleaning and re-calibration. Prices for a rebuilting the unit are in excess of $400.00.

Can someone please explain to me what goes into the reconditioning of a fuel distributor for a CIS car? Why so expensive?

Thanks
Bob

supdaf · 03-23-2005, 06:19 PM

Based on the correspondence on this board it seems that the fuel distributor is some kind of magic box that only a few have the "wizardry" to comprehend. I have rebuilt mine and I will have to disagree that it takes some kind of voodo to figure out. I think that many here have the skills to rebuild a fuel distributor. If the halfs are warped it might take quite a considerable amount of machine to fix. Other than that there are a few o-rings, some washers (that do not wear), some plastic output filters and a diaphram. If the piston and/or cylinder is worn then there is a problem.

I miked the o-ring grooves, found replacements, they all miked to standard sizes, cleaned the diaphram, and reassembled. I used good old 574 to reseal the assembly and after a year of driving I have no leaks and no problems. My problem was that I could not find any replacement parts specifically for the distributor. There must be some that exist in the world but much internet surfing did not uncover any help.

Perhaps I was simply lucky and lucked into the rebuild. I did have to clean and reseal the diphram a couple of times because I used too much sealer. There is a small orifice that allows lower chamber fuel to pass to the upper half for fuel piston counter pressure. If this tiny hole is plugged the air plate will swing to the top and will not come down. Obviously not a good situation. I do not know if this is much help but I had good luck and learned a great deal in the experience.

Sunroof · 03-24-2005, 09:57 AM

Thanks.
I am shopping around to see who is reasonable, but nothing in
this category is reasonable!

Appreciate the insight

Bob

Superman · 03-24-2005, 10:15 AM

I do not think there is such a thing as a rebuilt CIS fuel distributor. There are ones which have been cleaned, but there is nothing to rebuild. The only moving part is the piston. The piston fits into its bore with such precision that fuel, at 60 psi, will not leak past. It's kind of amazing, really.