swinging distributor

[Casey]

Ok, I have 3 distributors that are swinging back and forth at the #2 bin. All I know to do is put helper springs on it. Works, but running out of helper springs. What causes this. Distributor drive shaft and all are good. Back end motor mount is good. Any leads? I have tried new springs on distributor but still does the same thing, not as much though. There must be something causing it??

thanks

[TheGMan143]

Re: swinging distributor

If it's swinging while idling (not moving from bin to bin), the usual cause is a bent driveshaft or a bent input (rear) shaft on the distributor.

A lot of swing when indexing can be caused by binds, fast motors, things like that. In the case of a bind, check the horizontal needle bearing in the base post of the distributor, make sure that the spacer ring is on place, and have adequate grease on the mounting post. In the case of and overdriven distributor (like ours are... motors run faster than standard... Jap conversion.), usually a little more tension on the lateral springs will dampen it... Instead of helpers, I shorten the laterals by a ring or two.

[John_Galt]

Re: swinging distributor

Here's a tip that BT's Kat gave me when I first had that problem:
The Distributor mount is not level.
To level it, hang a plumb bob (even a kicker roller hanging from a string will work) next to the mount where it bolts to the pinwheel guard. Loosen bolts and adjust mount until it is parallel with the string.
This is more difficult if you have the old-style mount (casting and tube instead of channel).

If the problem persists after plumbing the mount, the distributor post may be bent. If that were the case though, I'd think you'd have more problems because if the post is bent then the distributor can't turn on it very well, can it?

Sticking a distributor tensioner spring or kicker spring inside of the safety link spring is an effective short-term solution, however.
That tip was given to me by BT's Jimmy Jam.

Chaddy

[vinson]

Re: swinging distributor

Make sure you are using AMF springs,not that Vantage junk I saw in your shop last time I was there.Also make sure your spring support is straight(070-006-068),usually they get bent towards the pinwheel after a while.

[Ed Fox]

Re: swinging distributor

Originally posted by vinson:
Make sure you are using AMF springs,not that Vantage junk I saw in your shop last time I was there.Also make sure your spring support is straight(070-006-068),usually they get bent towards the pinwheel after a while.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I dont know Don...its not working so far. [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif[/img]

Charlie [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Re: swinging distributor

Hey Casey, your problem is on the mounting shaft inside the mounting bracket.Just to get by,whack mounting bracket toward 4 bin, then rezero dist. at head pin. Then either switch dist. from odd to even(vice versa) or reverse shaft&amp;washer on mounting bracket.Get rid of the springs.

[Kat]

Re: swinging distributor

It's also possible that you are running more clutch tension than you need. Excess tension on the clutch will cause it to do this as well as periodic self-indexing at the 5.

You should have just enough tension to go from 6 to 10, since that is the hardest turn for the distributor.

Might also want to check adjustment/condition of the safety link area. No bent links are a must.

[ModelTech]

Re: swinging distributor

Wow,
I've got the same problem on one of the two MC2's we have installed. The problem intensifies when loading from the #2 to #4 bin, there is so much slop, that the #4 pin shoots over into the empty area in front of the #4 bin, and the pin falls to the deck below.

Magic Triangle, I'll pass the "plumb" idea on. Great thread, guys, glad I stumbled in here.

Doug