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Cracked distributor shaft

Anewway

Newbie
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
Messages
67
After rebuilding my distributor I cracked the distributor shaft trying to turn the gear to line up with the roll pin hole. The gear was very tight and trying to turn the shaft with an allen wrench the shaft cracked.
I thought about welding this crack or should I just get a new distributor?
There is slight movement left to right between the shaft and the bushings.



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Last edited:

1970 Palmer

Full Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2020
Messages
455
I would not recommend welding on a machined distributor shaft. That said, I have welded on the mechanical advance limit stops many times without a problem.

Anytime you need to remove the drive gear from a distributor shaft, it's best to make some notation marks (center punch/flat file) so you get it back into the same orientation. The roll pin holes were drilled pretty crude, as in hand drilled after the drive gear height was set. It would be easy to install it 180 degrees off and not have the original holes align. If you heat the gear up a little, it's easier to slip it on.

Just find another old core and start over.
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
47,355
How bad is the crack?
While the oil pump driveshaft is under a lot of pressure due to the pump, the distributor side doesn’t have a lot of force put into it because the distributor spins easily.
What I’m getting at is that in a pinch, if you needed to get the vehicle running right now, you could probably use the cracked shaft if it’s not too bad. Then find another distributor with a good shaft and start from there.
Just a thought, but it depends on how bad the crack is because if it’s bad enough you definitely don’t wanna have a piece break off and leave chunks of metal floating around in the engine!

So if you don’t have to get it running today, start fresh.
If you get a different used distributor be aware that some shaft diameters and lengths are different over the years.
Best to get one out of the same vintage engine sometimes.
 
OP
OP
Anewway

Anewway

Newbie
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
Messages
67
The cracks got bigger after removing the gear so will be on the lookout for a new distributor.
 
OP
OP
Anewway

Anewway

Newbie
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
Messages
67
I found a rebuilt distributor from a 68 Mustang for stock appearance. I may upgrade to Pertronix after I get the engine installed and running.
The distributor is the last remaining part before installation.
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Rustytruck

Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
10,875
I would replace it. I am not spending all eternity waiting and wondering when a patch job is going to fail.
 
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