A few months ago list member Jim V. was looking for an old GMC (Pontiac)
V8 distributor that he could modify to use as an oil system primer on
his newly rebuilt '58. I offered mine (see messages below) with the
comment that I wanted it back to use myself some day. I also stated
that it would be made available for loan to other list members.
Got it back in the mail this week. If there is anyone out there needing
it let me know. I'll ship it for $50 refundable deposit and a separate
check for five pounds worth of UPS charges. You use it and return it
and I'll tear up the $50 check.
Hints on usage:
1. Pontiac distributors turn counter clockwise, not clockwise like small
block Chevies. For those of you who can only read digital clocks, the
direction it needs to turn is the way that you loosen most bolts. Turn
it the wrong way and it wont pump oil through the system.
2. Don't use a high powered device (like an impact wrench) to spin the
shaft. Ask Jim why.
3. Oil to the galleries that feed the rocker arm studs, balls and valve
tips is metered by a hole in the #4 cam journal (left side of engine)
and #2 cam journal (right side of engine). There is a hole through the
each of these journals that lines up once per revolution. Don't expect
oil flow to the rocker arms until you have turned the crankshaft (and
therefore the camshaft) to the proper position. And, no, I don't know
what the position is. I think it is different for the left and right
sides. Pontiac discontinued this type of oiling in the early 60's, but
most other Pontiac cams (except 455 H.O.) have the same size journals.
Be very careful when replacing your camshaft. Your new one may not have
the holes through journals 2 and 4. Works good until the assembly lube
you put on the rockers and valve tips dries up, then starts eating those
hard to find parts.
Stuff below is from the original e-mails that Jim and I exchanged.
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If the gear is in place you won't be able to spin the distributor. Or
maybe you are planning to knock the teeth off of the gear???
Anyway, I have a deal for you. I have the original distributor
(replaced it with an HEI) from my '57 GMC V8. I'll send it to you, you
modify it as needed, use it and when you are done send it back so I can
use it for my rebuild (not yet scheduled, but my 347 has 102,000 miles
on its previous rebuild). It would also be available for loan out (with
a deposit) to other list members.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of dcvjrv@covad.net
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2005 4:47 AM
To: oletrucks
Subject: [oletrucks] Distributor
Does anyone have an old no good distributor for a V8 TF engine. I don't
need the cap or any of the internal workings. But it does need to have
the
gear. I want it so that I can spin the oil pump and lube all of the
internal parts before initial start. I know that I can use a
screwdriver
but an old distributor will work better as it will also lube the
lifters.
Thanks for any and all help,
Jim V.
1958 GMC Suburban Carrier Pickup (Cameo style) - V8 Hydramatic
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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