Distributor Play, and then some. *search performed*

[PatrickMTL]

I'm in the process of getting someone else's project wrapped up(it's mine now), and in doing so I've encountered some roadblocks. Here's a brief history of the latest challenge:

Car didn't run when I took possession, I adjusted/synced the KF, got the car to run. Idle was terrible, noticed that distributor cap was dancing about, touching it I could feel the rotor contacting it. Upon opening it I found a Pertronix conversion, a cap that had been "modified" with pliers to clear the male tab of the distributor, a rotor that had had its base unevenly ground down, and a bolt that interfered with the Pertronix mounting plate.

I replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor and ground the Pertronix base to clear the bolt for the spring clip. In doing said work, I found not only vertical play in the shaft, but that I could pull the shaft up and rotate it into a different orientation, then push it back down, effectively changing the timing by about 40 degrees. Does any of this make sense? What does this say about my distributor, #02321 151 008? I also found that the system no longer produces spark anymore, I think the Pertronix is now dead based on a diagnostic I found in an FAQ search. Any and all help/advice is appreciated. I do not want to run points.

[c.d.iesel]

...".....could pull the shaft up and rotate

it into a different orientation, then

push it back down, effectively

changing the timing by about 40

degrees. Does any of this

make sense? What does

this say about

my distributor?" ....

it says that the distributor is not seated

down fully into the housing/clamp

and/or bits are missing (ask PO) down

under the advance plate letting

the shaft float up

please delete duplicate post

[williamggruff]

If it turns out you need a replacement distributor, I have two 008's with minimal shaft play.

[PatrickMTL]

[and/or bits are missing (ask PO)...]

PO is NLA. I'll pull the dist tonight and compare it with the service manual. I had hoped it was a common malady that perhaps someone had experienced prior to me. McGruff, I'll let you know if I need one of your units, would you mind sending me a message with your asking price and any specific details. Have either of them been converted to electronic ignition by any chance?

[Hans]

If dist is properly seated, the bottom of the dist "cup" should sit tight against collar on housing attached to head. It needs to be pushed down, and near the end of travel, rotor will turn (as gears engage). Can you move rotor sideways?

[PatrickMTL]

If dist is properly seated, the bottom of the dist "cup" should sit tight against collar on housing attached to head. It needs to be pushed down, and near the end of travel, rotor will turn (as gears engage). Can you move rotor sideways?

I pulled the dist and it seems that the spring clip on the shaft doesn't engage and hold the upper shaft down, allowing the shaft to be lifted and shifted out of the guide holds on the "weights" of the advance assembly. I'm just going to replace it with a different unit, this one looks as though it has seen better days. Time to check the coil to be sure that I won't fry the new ignitor...

[Hans]

Sounds good. I was trying to remeber how the top bits attached to actual shaft. Depending on what you need, I do have assorted bits here in Ottawa - you know the drill. But act quickly.

[PatrickMTL]

Sounds like an option, but I think I'm going to get a new unit, with the ignitor installed, for $180 from IE.