Distributor Wobble?

[1955CJ-5]

Not being satisfied with an engine that apparently ran perfectly, I convinced myself that I needed a new distributor, as the old one had a tiny bit of play in the shaft......and maybe wasn't advancing properly and giving me full power

I looked online and rebuilt were about the same as sending mine in for a rebuild, but then one popped up on ebay...same price...

So, I bought it....it's really very nice, new rotor,points and cap included. It is new, had never been installed as far as I can tell, and it's a IAD 4008..just as it should be. But it's a Prestolite and not an Autolite....I knew that when i bought it and did a little research...Prestolite bought Autolite around 1963...so this distributor was probably made in the 60's...that is fine...no problem at all with the purchase..only apparent difference is the "O" ring on the base..

I had a little trouble getting it in. The anti-rattle clip did not want to slide into the oil pump recess, so I swapped it out with the old clip and it slid right in.

But, it wobbles....just a little, easily seen and felt, but disconcerting....I don't remember if the old one wobbled or not....

So, does your distributor wobble? ...I'll probably just go change them back but I wonder why it would wobble? Anti-rattle clip maybe?

[Ryan_M]

Not being satisfied with an engine that apparently ran perfectly, I convinced myself that I needed a new distributor

I don't have an answer for you but that was hilarious 

My IAD distributor is currently sitting on a shelf in the garage after I too convinced myself I needed to have it rebuilt. I am currently running those tacky looking (but perfectly functional) repops in both the 3A and M38 so I can't go test the IAD for "wobbliness". However, I don't believe it had any at all when it was installed.

Are you saying the whole distributor wobbles, even with that bracket tightened down? Or is it just the shaft that wobbles?

[1955CJ-5]

Well, sadly  the entire distributor case wobbles...and it's not just the cap...

And so, I broke out my recently purchased dial indicator, fastened the distributor case in a vise via the mounting extension, and found that the shaft is indeed bent....to the tune of about .012" each side of zero 

[Ryan_M]

Well that sure is discouraging. I'm doubt there's any recourse since it's an eBay seller? It might be worth contacting him/her to see if they'd be willing give you any type of refund. Even a partial one would take some of the sting out of it.

[garage gnome]

I'll have to see if my both of mine wobble tomorrow.

[1955CJ-5]

I spent a couple hours tweaking on the shaft last night and improved it some, but it will probably never be truly straight.

I also sent Kurt at Willys Distributors an email to see if he happens to have a replacement shaft, but he doesn't.

I'll keep looking for a core distributor with a good shaft....I disappointed of course but it will work out OK....

I'm pretty sure that some of these old parts are still around because they were defective to begin with....

I wish I could just learn this lesson of buying "NOS" instead of having to go back for an ebay refresher course every six months!!

[1955CJ-5]

After my attempts to straighten the shaft I thought I re-install the new distributor.

The neat thing about it is it's got an original IG numbered rotor and Made in USA IG cap. And everything is really snug, just as you would expect. Clips are tight, rotor fits tight etc...

I cannot visually see a wobble anymore. I can feel a little vibration or something but I think that if I were not looking for the wobble, I would never notice it now....and it runs much better.

The old distributor has lots of play in the shaft where it exits the bottom of the case, and is just generally "loose".

I'll put in on the shelf just like Ryan did with the intention of sending it to Willys Distributor some time in the near future. Then I'll put it back in and then save the other as a spare.

This wasn't exactly a drop in replacement part but I think it'll be fine now....

[PeterL]

Good evening,

I asked this very same question with my electronic distributor.  My brand new distributor installed in the motor I rebuilt wobbles about 10-15 thousands.   Everyone chocked it up to being Omix.  I am beginning to believe that the distributors do move.  I yours wobbles, mine wobbles and when I was in California last week I took a look at a CJ2A and that distributor wobbled..... 

[1955CJ-5]

Thanks Peter....at least I'm not alone..

The seller offered to replace it but I think I'll just stick with what I have. I may be able to straighten it just a bit more....

I shipped the original to Willys Distributors for a rebuild so it will go back in when done....


Edit: I just had another thought....

Do you think the orientation of the spring clip(anti-rattle clip) on the end of the shaft can affect the wobble/centering?   I guess it would take some trial and error to find out.....I did not try it without the clip...

[scoutpilot]

[size=12]It might just be wear in the shaft engagement slot in the pump drive shaft.[/size][/b]

[1955CJ-5]

I thought about that, or maybe some sort of alignment issue..it's a new oil pump but that does not guarantee anything....

I did fit the new distributor shaft plus rattle clip into the old oil pump, and that was a very snug fit....the anti-rattle clip seems very effective...

It's good for now.....the old distributor should be rebuilt and back in service soon....