Distributor wobble

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:46 am

I replaced my distributor {ignitor} with a NOS (or rebuilt?) unit I found on Ebay. It went in ok and works, but There is a noticable wobble when the motor is running. I pulled it and reinstalled it twice with no change. Has anyone experianced this, and should I be concerened?

HingsingM37 · Post by **HingsingM37** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:27 am

Wes,
What "wobbles"? The whole distributor and shaft in the block? The cap side to side? Can you be clearer? Nothing should move.

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:19 am

If you are running a "civilian" distributor and a military oil pump you will get the wobble. The tang on the end of the military distributor is offset, whereas the civilian tang is centered. The centered tang will fit into the offsey slot in the oil pump but it will ossilate. You need to put a civilian oil pump in with a centered slot.
Tim

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:23 pm

Wes wrote:I replaced my distributor {ignitor} with a NOS (or rebuilt?) unit I found on Ebay. It went in ok and works, but There is a noticable wobble when the motor is running. I pulled it and reinstalled it twice with no change. Has anyone experianced this, and should I be concerened?

If the rebuilt unit you installed is a military distributor, you have a civilian oil pump if it wobbles. If you are using a civilian distributor, like someone already said, you have a military oil pump. These 2 components must be matched, either civilian or military.

HingsingM37 · Post by **HingsingM37** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:29 am

Now see, there lies my confusion. I did not think of the mis-matched civy-mil spec parts scenario because that would cause more of an "oscillation" as opposed to a wobble

Actually, I never thought you could get those to mate up because of the offset? I learned something new. Thanks Tim and Charles

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:32 am

You are welcome, at least its is an easy thing to fix!
Tim

monkeymissile · Post by **monkeymissile** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:59 am

could it be worn bushings for the distributor shaft? It was a used item correct?

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:00 am

The distributor is military. A 24volt unit just like the origfinal. It appeared to be either NOS or rebuilt, and was clean and no slop in the shaft. As for the oil pump. I am not aware that the oil pump is not original military. The previous owner bought it from the military and I'm very sure he never got into the engine.

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:20 am

Wes wrote:The distributor is military. A 24volt unit just like the origfinal. It appeared to be either NOS or rebuilt, and was clean and no slop in the shaft. As for the oil pump. I am not aware that the oil pump is not original military. The previous owner bought it from the military and I'm very sure he never got into the engine.

The shaft could be bent, if so & it's enough, wobble will result even if it is the correct oil pump. I'd almost bet the oil pump has been replaced with a civilian one at some point though.

Worn shaft bushings will not cause wobble of the housing. The shaft will flop around some, but there will be no visible outward sign.

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:39 am

I'm not sure what to do at this point. I've never removed or replaced an oil pump in a M-37. I really don't have time to start pulling apart my engine right now. What I don't understand is why none of my other distributors did this. They all, including the one in it now, are identical. I am loosing my storage area and I have to move the vehicle 25 miles to my hunting camp. Since I installed the distributor It has been running good for short trips around town. Dare I run it out to camp?

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:01 pm

Wes wrote:I'm not sure what to do at this point. I've never removed or replaced an oil pump in a M-37. I really don't have time to start pulling apart my engine right now. What I don't understand is why none of my other distributors did this. They all, including the one in it now, are identical. I am loosing my storage area and I have to move the vehicle 25 miles to my hunting camp. Since I installed the distributor It has been running good for short trips around town. Dare I run it out to camp?

I'm getting a clearer picture now I think. If the other distributor was military & not wobbling & the one you just installed does, about the only thing left to suspect is a bent distributor shaft. If you continue to run it, it will wear the bushings quickly, it will stress & break eventually. How long will that take; not too long if it's bent bad enough to wobble.

Distributor wobble

Distributor wobble

Re: Distributor wobble