Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 05:46:19 PM

Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 05:46:19 PM
I got a billet distributor a week or so ago for a great price (brand new),and I had to replace the cam gear assembly because the one it came with was too short (they sent me a new one).The gear just pulls right of by hand (the gear and the shaft that goes to the oil pump shaft).Should it be able to be pulled off by hand? I've actually never had a reason to even know that.I've swapped distributors,but never had to take one apart for any reason.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: hypostang on March 17, 2010, 05:48:23 PM
I have always had to have them pressed on and off
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 05:54:16 PM
No the gear doesn't just fall off>>> Wheres the roll pin?
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 05:57:29 PM
The gear is held on with a roll pin.The gear is connected to the shaft that goes onto the pump shaft.That assembly,the gear and "shaft" just pull right off.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 05:59:28 PM
Check this Kitz....look at the picture,and the dark gray part with the gear at the bottom can be pulled off by hand.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-88-89-90-91-SBF-FORD-289-302-DISTRIBUTOR-MUSTANG_W0QQitemZ350314705535QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item519062327f
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 05:59:52 PM
I'm not sure what your saying? the dist. gear comes off?
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 06:02:45 PM
Let me take a picture.....
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 06:03:13 PM
I see it, still don't understand, you did see where it won't work with cobra intake. Not sure about what you mean by the gear pulling off.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 06:07:21 PM
The gear should have a roll pin in it. And yes you can install it upside down, it won't mesh with the cam. you can install the gear wrong also, bye not being tru, if that makes sense to you.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 06:18:49 PM
That picture was just as an example.This distributor fits fine with a Cobra intake.I just had to add a small spacer between the fuel rail and lower intake to move the rail out just a tiny bit.I can't get my friggin' pics on to Photobucket.The gear assembly at the bottom of the distributor,the whole dark gray part,just pulls right off.Let me try the pics again.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 06:23:12 PM
Are you saying te gear on the bottom of the dist. you can pull off?
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 06:27:27 PM
yes and no about the gear..(I can't get pics to upload).....Look at the picture of the distributor again,and enlarge it. Now,look at where the shiny billet part at the bottom stops,and the dark gray "end shaft with gear" starts.The whole end part just pulls right off.Not just the gear,that whole part comes off fairly easy.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: hypostang on March 17, 2010, 06:34:12 PM
So the shaft is actually 2 pieces, one part going through the billet part  and that part goes inside the gear part ?
 I  have never dealt with a billet piece but it sounds odd , but it might be the way it's made
 Hell.............. i dont know :hick:
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 06:41:19 PM
Quote from: hypostang;314666
So the shaft is actually 2 pieces, one part going through the billet part  and that part goes inside the gear part ?
 I  have never dealt with a billet piece but it sounds odd , but it might be the way it's made
 Hell.............. i dont know :hick:

Yeh odd,  Not sure. Where do you get these deal's .lol
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 06:42:25 PM
Not sure but if it were me I would use another one.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 06:42:52 PM
The shaft that goes through the middle of the distributor has a slot on the end of it.The shaft that the gear is on has a piece in it that fits into the slot on the distributor shaft,therefore,turning the oil pump shaft........Holy  this is hard to explain.......I suppose it is supposed to be that way.Until I can get the friggin' pics to download,I can only attempt (in a py way apparently) to explain.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: hypostang on March 17, 2010, 06:47:18 PM
I think I understand ..... but dont know if it's normal, because I have no benchmark
 I think my little brother runs a billet distributor, I'll try calling him and asking
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 06:50:25 PM
Hey Vinnie, I checked the ad again, I still have no clue . But it says pro comp, be Leary of that.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 06:50:49 PM
Kitz,as far as where I got it cheap,from ProComp.It seems like a nice piece,and sturdy.They owed me a "favor" from a valve cover deal a few months ago and gave me a wicked deal.Even though the lower shaft comes off by hand from the upper shaft,it seems like it would work great,and make gear swaps very easy.Maybe that's how it's designed.The distributor was actually about 3/4 of an inch too short when I got it,and they sent me a new "lower shaft" that had the gear on it.It simply fits onto the end of the distributor.Maybe designed that way for simplicity.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 06:51:27 PM
I have got to figure out what's wrong with my computer.I need to get these pics up.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 06:53:41 PM
Kitz,email me at vinnietbird@sbcglobal.net  I have an idea for pics.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: 88turbo on March 17, 2010, 06:53:57 PM
there is no reason for you to be able to pull the gear off by hand.  this means that if for any reason the roll pin sheers you will have to fish out the distributor gear.  I wouldnt use it if the gear comes off that easily.  just my .02
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 17, 2010, 07:00:36 PM
Quote from: 88turbo;314683
there is no reason for you to be able to pull the gear off by hand.  this means that if for any reason the roll pin sheers you will have to fish out the distributor gear.  I wouldnt use it if the gear comes off that easily.  just my .02

I think he got something a little different, I only seen one once, so I may be not the one to help.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 17, 2010, 07:10:13 PM
Kitz,pics sent.Check 'em out and give me your opinion.I think it'll work fine after looking further.As I stated,it seems solid.

Turbo,the gear itself,as a small gear,doesn't come off alone.It's more than that.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: hypostang on March 17, 2010, 07:11:01 PM
Just called my brother , he has a billet MSD and his is like a conventional  distributor with a press on gear
 So  I am still no help :punchballs:
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 18, 2010, 05:54:35 AM
Sorry for the late response, I got your pics.I guess it would work ok as long as you can keep it on long enough to put it in.Just be sure it's a steel gear for the roller cam. Not sure of the need for a quick change gear though, unless you would run a brass gear.I'm not to familiar with it so take my words lightly.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 18, 2010, 07:08:04 AM
I will call them and ask them about the gear to double check before I install it.I don't want to take any unnecessary chances with the new engine.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: BogusSVO on March 18, 2010, 11:08:09 AM
no, the gear should not just slip off by hand, that gear has to drive the dizzy and the oil pump and a roll pin will just sherar with the amont of force needed to drive the oil pump

It has about .002/.003 press fit... so either the gear is machined wrong .. or the shaft is....
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: 32VFoxBird on March 18, 2010, 12:46:25 PM
all ProComp distributors are like that. the "gear assy" has a 5/16 hex drive on the bottom, and a large groove on the top to mate with the actual distributor shaft, right?
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 18, 2010, 02:37:22 PM
Here's some pics for what he's talking about.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 18, 2010, 04:27:06 PM
Quote from: 32VFoxBird;314820
all ProComp distributors are like that. the "gear assy" has a 5/16 hex drive on the bottom, and a large groove on the top to mate with the actual distributor shaft, right?


That appears to be correct.

Kitz,thanks for posting those.Hopefully our issues with pics oin this computer will be resolved soon.
Title: Distributor question...
Post by: Kitz Kat on March 19, 2010, 03:54:31 PM
Vinnie you should be fine, after verifying it's for a roller cam. From what I read it is.