Distributor Shim Placement

[jc.bn69.c3]

Hey guys,

I searched here, and found the threads about shimming the drive gear, but…

Can’t seem to find the correct order of installation for the gear, washer, and shims.

Measured without shims:
Gear and washer: 0.035”…0.041”

Spec: 0.002”…0.007”
(from threads here, and the shop manual)

0.002”…0.007” spec from manual; cast iron housing (not aluminum)

So is it…

Housing- Shim(s) - Washer - Gear ?

or

Housing - Washer - Shim(s) - Gear ?

The shims are a smaller O.D. than the washer, so I’d assume it’s best practice to put shims between Gear and Washer …

Meaning: Housing - Washer - Shim(s) - Gear

Again, assuming the smart (correct) thing to do is have a wide O.D. washer against the housing for more surface area contact.

Thanks!

 

[Grumpy]

maybe this will help

Post in thread 'shimming a distributor gear to get proper clearances'

Dec 4, 2008

if your distributor won,t seat on the manifold and gasket the oil pump drive shaft may need to be shortened (thats the correct route)or theres distributor shim gaskets

http://www.summersbrothersracing.co...LF-CUT-DRIVE-FLANGE-BIG-BLOCK-CHEVY_p_30.html

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=123&p=326#p326
http://www.stockcarracing.com/techartic ... tallation/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-26150

GOT a distrib that seems to...

• grumpyvette

Thread 'guide too re-installing the intake manifold /distributor'

Oct 12, 2008

read these thread LINKS and watch this video link below first,

because theres a ton of related info that can help, you ,
to prevent oil & coolant or vacuum leaks, and gasket damage,
BE AWARE that if the intake manifold bolts used are too short the threads may strip,
\if they are too long you might bend or lock a push rod or.
crack a head casting if overly tightened in the wrong location

...

• grumpyvette
• Replies: 28
• Forum: Intake Systems , Fuel Systems and Related

CHEVROLET Moroso 26150 Moroso Distributor Shim Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Moroso Distributor Shim Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Distributor Replacement Parts at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

these shims go between the distributor seat flange and intake manifold to help keep the oil pump drive shaft clearance correct
to prevent binding on that drive shaft to the distributor gear.

Thread 'oil pump drive shaft is loose'

Jul 29, 2022

I put in a new Melling m-55 oil pump with amoroso steel collar shaft #22070 in my 350 crate motor. With the distributor installed and fully seated, the shaft can move up and down 1/4 of an inch and this shaft doesn’t snap on to the pump as it does with the plastic sleeve.Is this normal? Thanks in advance

chevy oil pump drive shafts are available in several lengths, because various brands of oil pumps vary considerably in the length required.
you can also install a BBC oil pump on a SBC engine, in some...

• Grumpy
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Oil and Lube Systems

R

Thread 'How much free play is good for the drive shaft from the distributor to the oil pump??'

Jun 5, 2024

How much free play is good for the drive shaft from the distributor to the oil pump??

• racprops
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Intake Systems , Fuel Systems and Related

Moroso 26140 Moroso Distributor Shim Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Moroso Distributor Shim Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Distributor Replacement Parts at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

these shims go between the lower distributor body and the distributor to cam drive gear.

https://garage.grumpysperformance.c...istributor-to-the-oil-pump.18145/#post-118056
you also need to get the oil pump drive shaft length correct ,to get the clearance between the seated distributor and the distributor,
to cam drive gear clearance correct
Gear-washer-shim-housing is correct order
(add some moly grease between shims and washers and distributor gear etc. before final assembly)

View attachment 20856

 

[jc.bn69.c3]

Hey Grumpy,

Yep, I’ll make sure to check that installation gap when I get the distributor in the intake.

In the meantime, I’m re-clocking (and finding other things wrong with) my OE distributor.

Original (OE) distributor has been rebuilt and has a 0.085” gap between the drive-gear/washer and housing base. So I have to take up that space with 0.078”…0.083” or the shaft is bad [roll-pin-hole too low?]

Either way, the main-shaft is getting replaced because the shape of the head is wrong for application. So I have to do a re-check.

Once all that is done, and I know how much clearance to take up with shims…

Does the installation order make a difference?

1) Gear-shim-washer-housing ?
or
2) Gear-washer-shim-housing ?

The shims have a smaller O.D. than the washer, so I thought maybe they need to be installed like 1 above:
Gear-shim-washer-housing

FWIW… 1969 Corvette L46 350/350, 183 is the proper stamping for my 1111493 distributor; 2 pics included to show replacement shaft head is a lil off compared to OE, when oil drive tips are in-line with each other.

 

[Grumpy]

2) Gear-washer-shim-housing ? is correct order
(add some moly grease between shims and washers and distributor gear etc. before final assembly)

Thread 'guide too re-installing the intake manifold /distributor'

Oct 12, 2008

read these thread LINKS and watch this video link below first,

because theres a ton of related info that can help, you ,
to prevent oil & coolant or vacuum leaks, and gasket damage,
BE AWARE that if the intake manifold bolts used are too short the threads may strip,
\if they are too long you might bend or lock a push rod or.
crack a head casting if overly tightened in the wrong location

...

• grumpyvette
• Replies: 28
• Forum: Intake Systems , Fuel Systems and Related

 

[jc.bn69.c3]

Will do!

I have some Sta-Lube Moly-grease so I’ll make sure to get it in there.

Thank you for clarifying installation order - sorry if it’s been posted before, and I couldn’t find it.

John