68 Tach Drive Distributor

[Kurt B.]

Gentlemen:
I have just completely disassembled my distributor and have 3 questions as I have never done this task before.
1. Where can I buy the bronze bushing that fits inside the main housing and which the main shaft slides through? Chevrolet, NAPA, , etc??
2. Which grease should I use for reassembly? I have wheel bearing grease and white lithium. Which is preferable and more durable/long lasting?
3. On the very bottom of the shaft there is a spacer/shim between the main housing and the drive gear that contacts the camshaft. How much end play should there be or should it be a snug fit with no up and down motion?
Thank you as always for your input and suggestions.
Kurt Bunting # 26406

[Jim T.]

Re: 68 Tach Drive Distributor

Kurt there is an article by Dave Fielder in The Corvette Restorer spring 2002 issue that will help you do this.

[Jim T.]

Re: 68 Tach Drive Distributor

Kurt the correct spelling is by Dave Fiedler as printed in the article.

[Brian Monticello]

Re: 68 Tach Drive Distributor

Kurt,
I just rebuilt my distributor and luckily did not have to replace the upper or lower bearing.

1.Corvette Central has all the pieces necessary to completely rebuild a tach drive distributor including the upper and lower bearing and the installation tool.

2. Use 20 wt oil on the mainshaft. The first time I put it back together I used moly lube on the mainshaft and it was too tight so I had to clean everything off and start over. I used a moly based lube in the oil well but others may have a different opinion on this. Also used it on the main and cross gear.

3. I think the service manual shows .003 - .007

Don't forget to check out housing where the cross gear sits. This is often very worn and is the #1 cause for broken tach gears and wasted mainshafts. You can install a bronze button for the drive to push against.

Check out the link below for some good info also by Dave Fiedler

http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article6.htm