Fuel Distributor Rebuld - Help

[uBoat Commander]

I know this was recently talked about, but I cannot find it.

Some guy on eBay does the rebuild for like $150 - anyone remember who it is?

Rebuild kits are $100 - well worth the extra $50 for someone to do it that knows what they are doing.

[GuyS]

Sells under the name "rebuiltsystems". Great service, very happy with mine. No affiliation etc

[uBoat Commander]

That is the guy - Thanks - parts on their way

[AirtekHVAC]

So, you sending it to him, or doing it yourself? I am waffling on sending mine out, but I learn nothing if I don't do it myself....and I am certainly capable....just a bit of "easy way out" syndrome....

I think Guy sent his off, and was happy with the results...

[uBoat Commander]

Originally Posted by AirtekHVAC

So, you sending it to him, or doing it yourself? I am waffling on sending mine out, but I learn nothing if I don't do it myself....and I am certainly capable....just a bit of "easy way out" syndrome....

I think Guy sent his off, and was happy with the results...

Nobody likes to do things themselves, their own way, more than me. However, it is soo cheap just to have him do it, with warranty, I can't justify trying to do it myself.

If the cost was $400 - heck, $200, you'd see me learning how to do it, but for $50 more than the cost of parts? It would be a mistake to try & do it myself.

[stepson]

Originally Posted by uBoat Commander

Nobody likes to do things themselves, their own way, more than me. However, it is soo cheap just to have him do it, with warranty, I can't justify trying to do it myself.

If the cost was $400 - heck, $200, you'd see me learning how to do it, but for $50 more than the cost of parts? It would be a mistake to try & do it myself.

+1

I have a long time buddy that will spend 3 hours fixing a $2 part on a Honda. (True Story)

On the other hand, I will drive to the local auto parts store, buy the part for him, have it installed on his car, and be done with it before he finishes fixing that damn part. (done it and he never knew I was gone)

For him, it's not that he's cheap (he is), but he derives great satisfaction from the accomplishment of being able to fix the part. He makes me crazy, because to me my time is worth more than that, but to him the satisfaction is worth more.

Different perspectives.

It's not that you couldn't rebuild your fuel distributor, but what is your best option and what is more important to you?

[rjm65]

One great thing about the rebuild kits being sold on ebay is that they include a new metal diaphragm, something to note is the fellow on ebay that rebuilds the distributors, cleans and installs new o-rings but uses the old diaphragm. So that $50 comparison between the kit and having someone do it for you is apples and oranges, you don't get everything in the rebuild that you get in the kit.

I rebuilt mine a few years ago, took a couple tries to get the old diaphragm to seal right. The writeup for the rebuild said to use Indian Head Shellac on the diaphragm but that didn't work on mine, I ended up using Permatex Aviation form-a-gasket. (I would check with the company on ebay selling the kits to see if they recommend any sealer be used at all with their new diaphragm.)

That worked fine until I had some issues with alcohol in the gas (a few years ago my car got stressed about a smog test and had a few drinks on the way there), had to take it apart to replace the o-rings and then a couple months later the metal diaphragm developed a fracture in it. Too much taking apart/putting back together ruined mine, tinkering has it's price.

I managed to located a professionally rebuilt FD from a now possibly defunct company in Orange CA. I put that FD in 4 years ago and it's been working great since.

Now that replacement diaphragms are available direct and not just to Bosch authorized rebuilders, I can't think of why you'd take apart a fuel distributor and not replace that key component.

If someone's not up to doing the job themselves, then I'd ask the rebuilder on ebay how much he'd charge to do a complete rebuild with a customer supplied kit.

[agent 99]

Sorry to Hijack the thread but I have just rebuilt my FD with the eBay kit as my piston was stuck .
Can anyone let me know how much resistance the piston should have when cleaned?
I can move it back and forth with my fingers but it doesn't fall out on its own. It just sits snug where you leave it.
Is this too stiff and does it need to move more freely?
Thanks,

[AirtekHVAC]

Can't answer your question, but I have not opened mine yet, what kit did you use, how much, what was included, and do you have pics?

[rjm65]

You should feel some resistance as the tolerances are very tight, but not so tight that the piston wouldn't fall out on it's own.

[steve322s]

I have had success rebuilding a couple FD. I tried sealing the two halves with sealant and once with light coat of grease (didn't work for me). I was told Porsche did not use anything on the metal gasket.

I put the metal gasket in the freezer overnight then assembled. this worked for me with no leaks. I also found a torque pattern to be important as I tried a few different ways-(no one could give me what they did at the factory)

Good luck

[AlexJ]

On the picture above there are 7 small o'rings.
The 6 to seal the lines around the piston.

What about the 7th?
I just open my fuel distributor (euro 76 2.7) and this small o'ring just fall and I couldn't identify where did it came from...

Does any one has a picture (like exploded view), where I can identify the part?

Thanks in advance.

[AirtekHVAC]

Should be 8 orings, and they go around the slits on the center portion, middle-top of picture....

They fit in an oval shape and EXTREMELY easy to pinch and damage. I rebuilt mine, successfully, but painstakingly, as I made a few mistakes along the way....4th time was a charm tho'

WAIT A MINUTE!!!!

You are not rebuilding a 928 distributor, are you? Ours have 8 cylinders, thus , 8 orings.....not sure on your 2.7....

[AlexJ]

Thanks for your help.
Yes, I made a mistake posting it on this thread.
Just did a search and went directly to the First thread about the distributor.
I will post it on the right place.