Help refitting distributor please

Post by **Oldconn** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:27 am

J55 JGL wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:23 pm
There is no O ring on the distributor and you will have to turn the engine over with the starter to get oil up to the rockers

Oh, yes there is! If you haven't got one, you should have. As for turning the engine, it's better to do it by hand; a socket over the crankshaft pulley nut will do it, turn slowly while spinning the pump.

Post by **Oldconn** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:33 am

rebel alliance wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:14 pm
There a picture of a dizzy with the O ring on this thread

The O-ring goes in the groove immediately below the clamping screw. If you have oil all over the front of your engine,it's a fair bet that's where it comes from. I just checked the dimensions, it should be 33mm diameter, and 3mm thick. I have a few spares if you can't source one.

J55 JGL · Post by **J55 JGL** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:44 am

Post by **scimjim** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:51 am

Oldconn wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:27 am

J55 JGL wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:23 pm
There is no O ring on the distributor and you will have to turn the engine over with the starter to get oil up to the rockers
Oh, yes there is! If you haven't got one, you should have. As for turning the engine, it's better to do it by hand; a socket over the crankshaft pulley nut will do it, turn slowly while spinning the pump.

John probably knows the inside of the Essex better than both of us!

There is definitely no o-ring on a standard distributor

J55 JGL · Post by **J55 JGL** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:04 am

Cheers Jim for a minute I thought I was losing it big time

rebel alliance · Post by **rebel alliance** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:21 am

The third picture in this thread appears to show what looks like an O ring in the groove on the shoulder below the bolt retaining circlip ?....i don't care if it has one or not by the way

Post by **scimjim** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:22 am

That’s the wire clip (item 34)

: 21A49747-AC1A-4D8F-B723-AFF2B030C08C.jpeg (228.93 KiB) Viewed 1715 times

: 9C64E926-C604-4455-8A82-C9DEFA0D53CE.jpeg (111.27 KiB) Viewed 1715 times

rebel alliance · Post by **rebel alliance** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:24 am

No below that jim on the shoulder looks like the remains of an O ring third pic

Post by **scimjim** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:28 am

I’m sure it’s quite easy to put an o-ring on there but there’s no need for one (how many seized dizzies have we heard about because it’s a tight fit and the slightest bit of corrosion will prevent it coming out).

rebel alliance · Post by **rebel alliance** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:32 am

Next time i take one out i will see if it has one....There certainly is a groove on the shoulder ?..unlikly to get any oil up there anyway so as you say not really needed

Post by **philhoward** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:58 am

Probably allows you to fully insert it as an undercut. If it was a machined shoulder there would have to be a radius there and a corresponding one in the block. An O ring wouldn't be used there - it's normally part way along a shoulder otherwise there's nothing to stop it wandering.

Post by **philhoward** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:59 am

Also - if it was a groove for an O ring it would me a machined slot.

rebel alliance · Post by **rebel alliance** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:16 pm

Sure the lucas one on the A series got one....but as they leak everywhere else

Post by **philhoward** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:19 pm

rebel alliance wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:16 pm
Sure the lucas one on the A series got one....but as they leak everywhere else

Indeed they do - but the O-ring is part way down the machined surface.

Post by **scimitargtc** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:32 pm

Well my spare doesn’t have 1 although I do see a small machined groove but not what I’d going looking for anything to fit. Dizzie just taken out to fit AccuSpark doesn’t have 1 either (neither of them) so if we’ve done this 1 then death shall we move on Chaps perhaps