63 F.I. distributor question

[Tim S.]

I have recently fired up my L84 from a rebuild. After cam break in, I had to pull the intake back off again (water in oil) and discovered I had a fair amount of oil in the tach cable (much more than I remember from other F.I. cars I have had).

I am going to assume there is a seal in there and I cannot find any sort of exploded view in the service manual. Any help would be appreciated

Tim

[Bruce B.]

Re: 63 F.I. distributor question

Tim,
Since I grease my FI distributor drive cable on A regular basis it makes sense there should be no oil in the cable housing.
My GM parts book lists a few seals ( GR 3.300 to GR 3.400) but there are no pictures as I think the distributor is an assembly bought from Delco Remy.

[Dan D.]

Re: 63 F.I. distributor question

Tim, did your engine builder put in a replacement Mellon oil pump when he rebuilt the engine? If he did, he probably put in one with higher pressure. That will blow the seals right out of those FI distributors, especially an old one.

Plenty of info on this in the archives. -Dan-

[Joe M.]

Re: 63 F.I. distributor question

Got this photo from someone else's post. Perhaps someone will recognize it give credit where due.

[Tim S.]

Re: 63 F.I. distributor question

It was a stock LT1 pump that I cleaned, checked, and reused. Less than 30lbs. idle oil pressure @ 180 degrees.

[William C.]

Re: 63 F.I. distributor question

Yes, there is a seal on the mainshaft, add one in the front of the housing and another in the rear for the crosshaft. If never before, NOW is the time to replace with new modern replacements.

[Tom P.]

Re: 63 F.I. distributor question

Got this photo from someone else's post. Perhaps someone will recognize it give credit where due.

I believe that is my photo.
An FI dist has THREE seals:
One between the upper/lower housing for the main shaft (it can be a challenge to replace if you don't know how to do it).
Two on the cross shaft (one at each end). They are readily available from the vendors (I buy mine from John DeGregory).
There are also 3 gaskets.
All are in the picture above.

[John D.]

Re: 63 F.I. distributor question

Nice photo Tom. Although I see the distributor has a service replacement cam. but it should be OK. Meanwhile when replacing these cross shaft seals keep at least two things in mind.
Debur the shaft so you do not cut the new seal as so many people do. Put some good lithium grease on the shaft ends before you put the shaft thru the new seal.
Very important that you do not put the new seal in dry. Use Permatex #3. Apply the #3 with a q-tip moderately. Don't use #2.
As far as replacing the main shaft seal that is not a job for a novice.

Story: You cannot believe how much damage you will do to an FI car if the tach side seal is leaking. As mentioned that oil will go up the tach cable and into the tach itself. Next thing is it will drip on to your nice repro carpet doing boo coo damage and an extensive mess.
Send your FI distributors to Don Baker for restoration. JD

[Tim S.]

Re: 63 F.I. distributor question

Ron @ Corvette Perfection "tuned up" the distributor and we're dry now!