[TR] TR6 Distributor Shaft End Float

[Jerry Shaw]

I'm preparing to re-install my rebuilt dizzy. Bentley (p. 90) says 5 thou and
Vizard says 3 thou of  end float as measured using a washer of known thickness
and using feeler guages between the distributor pedestal and the engine block.
Unfortunately, the gaskets that I have are all much too thick to use as shims.

I think my new cam's mating drive gear is a tad smaller in diameter than
stock,  allowing the distributor drive gear to drop down more.

I've tested end float with a dial indicator (jiggling the drive gear up and
down), with the pedestal and a makeshift computer paper gasket (5 thou)  in
place and it is still a tad too sloppy.

What I've read says that too much distributor drive gear slop leads to a loss
of 2-3 hp due to timing jitter.


How much of a gasket is needed between the distributor pedestal and the block
to impede oil leakage? Can I get away with a thin copper shim of the right
thickness?

Has anyone else had this problem?