Git tube - distributor oiling

[Gordon W.]

My 61 is the first engine I've ever owned that had the distributor oiling tube. In fact, I had no idea what it was for until I found it in the service manual and I had no idea what it was called until I searched the archives here and found a post by John Hinkley.

I have 2 questions about it. First, the manual says to fill with oil every 1,000 miles. Based on the size of the tube I'm guessing it's not much oil. How do you guys get oil in there without making a mess...a turkey baster?

Secondly, I'm curious what design change eliminated the need for this oiling tube.

[John H.]

Re: Git tube - distributor oiling

My 61 is the first engine I've ever owned that had the distributor oiling tube. In fact, I had no idea what it was for until I found it in the service manual and I had no idea what it was called until I searched the archives here and found a post by John Hinkley.

I have 2 questions about it. First, the manual says to fill with oil every 1,000 miles. Based on the size of the tube I'm guessing it's not much oil. How do you guys get oil in there without making a mess...a turkey baster?

Secondly, I'm curious what design change eliminated the need for this oiling tube.

Gordon -

There's a "wick" down inside the oiling tube that's in contact with the upper bushing in the old-style cast iron "bowl-type" distributor housing; that's what kept the bushing lubricated, as only the lower bushing was exposed to engine oil. The pointed tip on a regular Plews oiler works fine to fill the tube at the GITS cap.

The later design externally-adjustable iron distributors used a semi-sealed grease well below the breaker plate, greased by Delco-Remy when the distributor was built, to lubricate the upper bushing.SealInstall800.JPG

[Gordon W.]

Re: Git tube - distributor oiling

John, great info, thanks. Sorry I misspelled your last name.

[Philip P.]

Re: Git tube - distributor oiling

If yours is the short tube into the side then use a hand oiler or even better a syringe and some rags under the tube real slow, you may also be able to remove the wick material oil it and slide it back in, If it is the long tube just use a hand oiler and slowly fill it. In reality, I would bet that these were not seviced very often as they are really out of sight.
Phil