Bob's Component Resto, Part 38: The Distributor
Greetings, MoBros and MoSis'. I hope you're enjoying driving your A body in the lovely fall weather. Tonight I'm presenting the latest sleep inducing chapter to my component resto series: The Distributor. With my slant six build nearly complete, I wanted to ensure a rock solid ignition system that wouldn't fail me on the road. The original distributor on the engine that I'm rebuilding has about 100K miles on it and is 51 years old. It is part number 3755470 with a date code of "45 3" which corresponds to the first week of 1973. My parts manual says that this is the correct part number for a 1974 slant six with the California emissions package. So since it is original to my engine and a really nice core, I sent it to a very skilled distributor rebuilder in Shakopee MN - Jeff Schlemmer at Advanced Distributors. Step one was to disassemble the core which revealed some rust inside, a slightly wobbly shaft and a leaking vacuum advance diaphragm (see the first two photos). The two rubber O rings on the lower body were very brittle and came off in pieces.
All of the internal parts went into the ultrasonic cleaner which removed every speck of rust, dirt and grease. Speaking of grease, the original 1973 factory grease was still in the shaft. This grease was mixed with fine sawdust back in the day to ensure that it stayed in place, which it did. It looked like a black pea when it came out. The cleaned parts then went into a tumbler basket that put a really nice shine on all of the internal components (see photos). The housing was then bead blasted to reveal a beautiful original aluminum casting.
With the cleaning process complete, it was time to reassemble and calibrate the unit. The distributor went back together with the following new parts: The cap, rotor and springs, the reluctor and its wiring harness, both O rings, both brass bushings and the vacuum advance. Once everything was back together, Jeff re-curved and tuned it up on his vintage distributor testing machine and all was well. The distributor will shortly be installed in the new motor and I'll have the confidence to drive from coast to coast without worrying about a 51 year old distributor going out on me. I'm also treating Dusty to a new set of plugs and plug wires to frost that cupcake, along with the previously installed NOS date coded voltage regulator and ECU. I couldn't be more pleased with the result and I love the look of the refurbished components. Total cost was $200.00 and I got it back the day after I dropped it off. I can give Jeff my strongest recommendation, and if you're interested he can be reached at (612) 804-5543. And no, I don't work for him. Dusty is gonna love her new spark-o-lator! Be well, all and sleep tight!
Greetings, MoBros and MoSis'. I hope you're enjoying driving your A body in the lovely fall weather. Tonight I'm presenting the latest sleep inducing chapter to my component resto series: The Distributor. With my slant six build nearly complete, I wanted to ensure a rock solid ignition system that wouldn't fail me on the road. The original distributor on the engine that I'm rebuilding has about 100K miles on it and is 51 years old. It is part number 3755470 with a date code of "45 3" which corresponds to the first week of 1973. My parts manual says that this is the correct part number for a 1974 slant six with the California emissions package. So since it is original to my engine and a really nice core, I sent it to a very skilled distributor rebuilder in Shakopee MN - Jeff Schlemmer at Advanced Distributors. Step one was to disassemble the core which revealed some rust inside, a slightly wobbly shaft and a leaking vacuum advance diaphragm (see the first two photos). The two rubber O rings on the lower body were very brittle and came off in pieces.
All of the internal parts went into the ultrasonic cleaner which removed every speck of rust, dirt and grease. Speaking of grease, the original 1973 factory grease was still in the shaft. This grease was mixed with fine sawdust back in the day to ensure that it stayed in place, which it did. It looked like a black pea when it came out. The cleaned parts then went into a tumbler basket that put a really nice shine on all of the internal components (see photos). The housing was then bead blasted to reveal a beautiful original aluminum casting.
With the cleaning process complete, it was time to reassemble and calibrate the unit. The distributor went back together with the following new parts: The cap, rotor and springs, the reluctor and its wiring harness, both O rings, both brass bushings and the vacuum advance. Once everything was back together, Jeff re-curved and tuned it up on his vintage distributor testing machine and all was well. The distributor will shortly be installed in the new motor and I'll have the confidence to drive from coast to coast without worrying about a 51 year old distributor going out on me. I'm also treating Dusty to a new set of plugs and plug wires to frost that cupcake, along with the previously installed NOS date coded voltage regulator and ECU. I couldn't be more pleased with the result and I love the look of the refurbished components. Total cost was $200.00 and I got it back the day after I dropped it off. I can give Jeff my strongest recommendation, and if you're interested he can be reached at (612) 804-5543. And no, I don't work for him. Dusty is gonna love her new spark-o-lator! Be well, all and sleep tight!