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FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: turbohunter on May 09, 2020, 05:47:44 PM

Title: Distributor gear roll pin is bothering me
Post by: turbohunter on May 09, 2020, 05:47:44 PM

Hi guys
As most of you know I have a distributor spud in my mustang that Jay made up for me.
It works great.
What’s bothering me is the fit of the steel gear I have installed. This is a stock size distributor shaft so to me cross drilling out of the question. Well bless Cranes little heart they have a gear (PN 34970-1) that is drilled at two depths. One of the depths is perfect to put the gear at the correct measurement on the shaft. Fantastic.
What’s nagging me is the the holes did not fit sideways. One hole was off a little. So I drilled a bit of the shaft out to enable the pin to pass through. I’m thinking that the void left will be enough to maybe snap the pin.
I could remedy the problem by going to a larger diameter pin, like .156 or .187.
Wuchya’ll think?

Title: Re: Distributor gear roll pin is bothering me
Post by: BattlestarGalactic on May 09, 2020, 06:03:23 PM

I've run a double pinned distributor in my pickup for nearly 30 yrs without issue.   It sheared one night while cruising, I was able to limp it home after adjusting the timing slightly.  I put a new pin in and drilled another 90* out.  I have always had lots of oil pressure and 20w-50 oil so it works on that pin hard.

I have seen gears with the hole just off so you can't put it back on flipped.  Why?  Sloppy machining?

Title: Re: Distributor gear roll pin is bothering me
Post by: turbohunter on May 09, 2020, 06:17:30 PM

Thanks Larry
Was that a stock distributor or the larger shaft aftermarket.

Title: Re: Distributor gear roll pin is bothering me
Post by: turbohunter on May 09, 2020, 06:52:36 PM

After thinking more I think I’ll get some .156 pins.

Title: Re: Distributor gear roll pin is bothering me
Post by: blykins on May 10, 2020, 05:31:07 AM

I've used a .156" pin, .187" pin and even a .196" pin on factory shafts. 

Title: Re: Distributor gear roll pin is bothering me
Post by: turbohunter on May 10, 2020, 08:08:57 AM

Gracias senior Brent.

Title: Re: Distributor gear roll pin is bothering me
Post by: gt350hr on May 11, 2020, 01:40:38 PM

  You should always have "press" on the gear. The roll pin will shear continuously if the gear slides on by hand. Going to a 3/16ths roll pin may help but even they will fail without the gear pressing onto the shaft.

Title: Re: Distributor gear roll pin is bothering me
Post by: turbohunter on May 11, 2020, 05:39:31 PM

It’s a press on.
Normal deal.
What was bothering me is since there is a void in the shaft because of the misalignment. I was queezy about the shaft eventually turning and maybe snapping the pin. I realize that the press on friction takes up approx. 75% of the load but I like to get rid of as many variables as I can.
I think the bigger pin will be fine.