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.
Help refitting distributor please
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Help refitting distributor please
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-Kermit Weeks
Current: SE6A; 998 Mini.Previous: Morris Minor,Ford8, Cortinas Mk1 &2,MG Midget 1932,Morgan 3W 1934,Lagonda Rapier,Honda S800, Austin Maxi,Citroen GSA, Riley ElfMk2,Peugeot 505,Rover 420 SDI
-Kermit Weeks
Current: SE6A; 998 Mini.Previous: Morris Minor,Ford8, Cortinas Mk1 &2,MG Midget 1932,Morgan 3W 1934,Lagonda Rapier,Honda S800, Austin Maxi,Citroen GSA, Riley ElfMk2,Peugeot 505,Rover 420 SDI
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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.rebel alliance wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:14 pmThere a picture of a dizzy with the O ring on this thread
"When I grow up, I want to be me"
-Kermit Weeks
Current: SE6A; 998 Mini.Previous: Morris Minor,Ford8, Cortinas Mk1 &2,MG Midget 1932,Morgan 3W 1934,Lagonda Rapier,Honda S800, Austin Maxi,Citroen GSA, Riley ElfMk2,Peugeot 505,Rover 420 SDI
-Kermit Weeks
Current: SE6A; 998 Mini.Previous: Morris Minor,Ford8, Cortinas Mk1 &2,MG Midget 1932,Morgan 3W 1934,Lagonda Rapier,Honda S800, Austin Maxi,Citroen GSA, Riley ElfMk2,Peugeot 505,Rover 420 SDI
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John probably knows the inside of the Essex better than both of us!
There is definitely no o-ring on a standard distributor

Jim King
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SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
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Help refitting distributor please
Cheers Jim for a minute I thought I was losing it big time 

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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 

Last edited by rebel alliance on Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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That’s the wire clip (item 34)
Jim King
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Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
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No below that jim on the shoulder looks like the remains of an O ring third pic
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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).
Jim King
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
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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
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Help refitting distributor please
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.
Phil Howard
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Also - if it was a groove for an O ring it would me a machined slot.
Phil Howard
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Previous: SE5/5a/SS1 No.1/SS1 Rooster/SS1 1800Ti/SE5a 24 Valve
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Previous: SE5/5a/SS1 No.1/SS1 Rooster/SS1 1800Ti/SE5a 24 Valve
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Sure the lucas one on the A series got one....but as they leak everywhere else 

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Indeed they do - but the O-ring is part way down the machined surface.rebel alliance wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:16 pmSure the lucas one on the A series got one....but as they leak everywhere else![]()
Phil Howard
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SS1 1600 Rooster Turbo; Sabre Mk1.5, Sabre Mk2
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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
1979 se6a auto pas 3.0v6 (unnamed) sold after 22 years 2019.
1998 Range Rover 4.6 v8 auto (unnamed)
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1998 Range Rover 4.6 v8 auto (unnamed)
2016 Nissan QashQai 1.6 Tekna CVT dci ("Quentin")
2019 Skoda Cititgo MPI SEL Greentech ("Clyde")
Space for 5 more! Money for none!!