possible dist. problem (long, but pls read.)
 

I have a quick question concerning my distributor.

I have a 76 2.7L, which I’ve recently done a pretty thorough tune up. If you’re interested for more on that, click this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=307967&highlight=timing +chain+link

(thanks for all the advice guys, much appreciated!)

Got the car all put back to together and it started right up. And oh-my-god, what a difference! It was beautiful; the car just pulled so much better, and ran some much smoother.

But….there was some chatter from the valves, which went away after it warmed up. I was a bit on the conservative side with the clearance, and over the course of a week, the chatter seemed more pronounced to me, and didn’t seem to subside as much once warmed up. I decided that I should re-adjust the valve. I also had been reading the posts on stretched chains and wanted to re-inspect.

The decision was also based on the fact that after I changed the cap & rotor out, a “grinding” type of sound was intermittently coming from the distributor area that coincided with the development of surges in the idle. When I changed the rotor, the distributor shaft on which it rides on “pulled” up from the distributor quit a bit, enough for me to notice. I got the new rotor on, the shaft went back down. I also noticed that the rotor has about 20-30 deg. of spring, in the advance direction. I would believe this would be for the vacuum, but I cannot see the mechanism moving as a result of moving the rotor back & forth.

This past weekend, I tore it back down and also inspected the rotor & cap and can tell that it seems to be rubbing. Got it back together, and it had trouble idling and was stumbing around 2 to 3K. Read up some more (101 & post) decided that proper course was to adjust ABV, AFR, and timing. (Temp drop of around 15 deg F between the 2 tune-ups). Got that done yesterday. Set timing first, then stabilized idle with ABV/AFR combination, reset timing. Idled wonderfully, but will not run between 2-3K (stumbles & backfires), but absolutely SCREAMS above that!
(No more of that until I get this worked out, rest assured). I’m rambling, sorry.

Back at the house, I noticed that there is the stumble/grinding from under cap while idling. This is the problem I believe and the effect is max at the RPM described above. So I will pull the distributor this afternoon and inspect.

If anyone has ever experienced similar conditions or have any advice on what to look for during my inspection and what I should do while the distributor is out, please offer advice.

Also, note that I have not yet changed the points out. Is it a good idea to do this with the distributor out & then do a final adjustment of the dwell once back in the car & running?

Sorry to be so long, and thanks for reading!

Chris,

The noise and vertical play are indicative of excessive play in the shaft due to worn or missing fiber washer and shims/washers below distributor body and above drive gear. The vertical play should not be more than 0.001" - 0.004". The distributor needs to be pulled with engine at TDC #1.

The following thread has pertinent data and diagrams you need. The vacuum retard module and point plate need to be removed to get at the centrifugal advance mechanism -- which needs to be cleaned and lubed while you are in the distributor. You will need to punch/drill out the pin that retains the drive gear ... in order to replace the missing fiber washer that is approx. 0.060" thick.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5432&highlight=distribu tor+lube

Good luck!

whoa.

O.k. Early_S_man. I'll have to read up on the link you provided.
There was one thin washer above the drive gear/below the body, no where near the 0.060" you've stated.

I'll start reading. thanks for the reply.

its running great now.
 

There are no igition issues as it revs. There is still a slight buck at lower speeds around 22 rpm or so, but its not the ignition.

Car also will idle a little high, but sometimes will set to the perfect idle. Something is getting stuck. If adjust the idle down it will surge as it drops, and then it'll stall. I think its that plate thing.
I'll get it figured out.......

but, its running great!