question on distributor '68 383

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Dave NEO

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what am I looking at near base of distributor?
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- flips open. Maybe had a spring at one time - it tends to flop open and stay open. Is this for lube maybe? thx
 
like oil ? how much/often? can you over do it?- I don't recall ever thinking about it back in the day.. 'spose I'm collecting crap in there if it stays open?
 
OK a few won't hurt anything I reckon..thanks. I'm putting something on there to keep it shut.
 
Normally you see the tube and flip cap turned up and the cap should have a spring on it. Also blue dizzy caps are for Fords and other brands.

All ribbing aside it was designed to lube the upper bushing and as mentioned once a year or at regular service intervals.
 
Have never seen a '68 383 with an oil cap, was usually on earlier models. Yes there is a spring that keeps it closed.
 
Yes should be spring loaded. Have seen them on 68 distribs but earlier castings. Think they ended in 67 across the board. It is also up side down they install them that way if the spring fails they stay relatively closed. A few drops of engine oil once a year is fine. have them new if needed. $10 shipped lower 48.
 
Yes should be spring loaded. Have seen them on 68 distribs but earlier castings. Think they ended in 67 across the board. .

They could have used up the old stock of distributors with the oil port in 68 until they ran out... It's called a running change, that way they don't incur a scrap cost to throw away the old ones that are still good/functional... If the supplier had some left over stock, they are allowed to run them out if it won't affect the functionality...
 
can it be rotated to orient it differently?
not a numbers matching motor so a very
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nice assortment of parts!
 
You can re-clock the housing, but then your vacuum advance canister will also be re-clocked. Lack of lubrication here doesn't seem to be a problem. Most of these cars have gone years without lube with no side effects. If the flapper opening up bothers you, then a little silicone will keep it closed or replace it with a good used one. They are press fit.
 
Dual point prestolites had them. That would be appropriate for a 68 383.
 
EI now. Anyway added a few drops of oil - a little clear silicone keeping lid closed until next time. Blue cap came with replacement distributor done by PO. OMG, do I paint it black or tan? Wait ...methinks l'll have a Black and Tan and think about..
thnx all for tips and trx
Hey Gerald, got any closeups of your engine? curious about a couple little things like throttle return spring set-up, coil location, etc.
 
Don't paint it, If the paint has any conductive abilities it will arc. Just FYI
 
no..ain't painting it. part of actual history of the car - Personally, I don't go for trying to recreate something that realistically could never have survived that way through the last 50 years in the real world. know what I mean?
 
Got ya I am the same way. The blue Standard caps are very good also. Just blue.
 
Yup have some NOS if needed. I do distributors so plenty of parts around.
 
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