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MG TD TF 1500 - Question for Butch Taras - re Dist. Shaft endfloat

Butch - did I read an earlier comment from you indicating that the distributor gear should have a .002 clearance from the distributor body?

That is a tight clearance - I have seen so many that must be lacking the proper spacer washers - they had significant distributor gear end float.

I need to check mine and see where they stand.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff
Jeff Delk

Jeff, I like to set the end float to .004"-.006, if possible, no more than .015"
Len Fanelli
Abingdon Performance
Len Fanelli

Hello Jeff. Yes I said that on the other web site. When I rebuild them generally the washer under the timing plate is very worn, I make a new one since it is not listed in the catalogs. The face where that washer runs in the distributor is also worn with grooves in the face, I go in with a boring bar and flatten that surface and polish it. Now since I have changed the length of the steel shank I put everything together with the gear and measure the gap between the steel shank and the top of the gear, then machine a brass washer that is .002-.003 thinner than the gap that I measured. The original washer had three small bumps stamped in during manufacturing, when you assembled the washer then drilled than pinned the gear on. Then you took a hammer an hit the end of the shaft and flattened the little bumps out that is how they set the end float.

Butch
R Taras

Hi Butch
Thanks for that excellent info. One drawing in the WS manual shows that interior washer - but you are absolutely correct that no suppliers mention it - similar situation with the washer for the tach gear unit and the generator.

I'll take a look and see what I have with the TD and TF .

Thanks again for the assistance,

Jeff
Jeff Delk

Hello Jeff. I just got home from GoF West. We had a great time. I went out and checked the Lucas manual just to be sure that I was correct in the info I gave you. It says to set the end float at .002 like I remembered with a max end float of .005. I have gotten distributors in with end float of .090, so as the gear goes up and down on the cam gear you can only guess how much the timing changes.

Butch
R Taras

And with excessive end float and slightly worn bushings, the shaft and gear can act like a pump pumping oil into the distributor body. Guess how I know that?
Lew Palmer

Wonderful info - most appreciated - I have seen both conditions - now I understand what causes the oil and timing issues

Thanks again to both of you.
Jeff Delk

I should have thanked all three of you - thanks Butch,Len, and Lew!
Jeff Delk

This thread was discussed between 30/10/2013 and 03/11/2013

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