Rh distributor help

Than you very much!

Hi d*ck

Pictures later today or tomorrow, I'll put them in this thread. 

I'm having a problem posting my replies since they are not going through, but I'll try again.

d*ck

Sorry it took me too long to reply. I gave my '73 Nautique to my son many years ago. He has used his mechanic to work on the boat engine (I think he's good). We have put a new carb, new plugs, and new points in. The mechanic says the distributor rotor cap easiiy turns 360' when holding the gear shaft from turning. Bad shaft?

8122pbrainard wrote: redtoybox wrote: Hi, I need a new distributer.  d*ck, Why? What's the problem with the one you have? Just being very curious.

Check summit racing dui dist Rh ration pricey but an option or you could check with illiniball2000 he was going to replace his with dui old one was Malloy with pertronix convention hope one of these will help

Glad you're up and running Chessie.

Hi Chessie

Got the PM

There's not really a specific place for the cam to go on to the shaft but the cam and shaft assembly which can rotate in the center hole of the plate need to be locked down with the tab so that when the points are open the rotor is pointing at the terminals inside the distributor.

You don't want the points to open and have the spark trying to go to two terminals at the same time which it would do if the rotor was pointed in between terminals.

The easiest way to do this is with the cap on the distributor draw a line with a Sharpie etc on the body of the distributor under the center of each plug terminal.

Then take the cap off and with the cam clamped in place and the points installed, rotate the shaft till the points are open and see if the rotor tip is pointing at one of the lines.

If it is you're good

If not then you loosen the clamp and rotate the cam assembly to where the rotor tip is pointing at a terminal with the points open.

Kinda hard to explain and may take some trial and error. It's a bit of a pain because you have to remove the points plate to get at the clamp.

Here are a couple of pictures to maybe help

The top picture shows the markings on the body under each terminal

Second picture shows the points just starting to open and the rotor pointing at one of the marks. Extra stuff like the condenser and wires were removed just to show the rotor tip and markings more clearly.

These pictures were of a same era Mallory that I've never adjusted from where it was set..

Most distributors like a marine Prestolite for example don't have this adjustment capability.

Some people would say it's a fine tuning feature while others would say it's just one more way for somebody to screw up their distributor if they're not sure what they're doing   

Mille1sj wrote: I have a composite gear for the ford 302 (.467 shaft). If you are interested, I can open one up to .531. I believe that would be the same gear. KENO can correct me if I am wrong.

Nothing to correct

And Chessie..............the parts are your's if you want them.

The cam is usually just a press fit on the shaft on a Mallory of that vintage.

It takes a small puller to get the cam off and it presses back on

Keno
You have the exact plate the clamp is a little different but work the same. I have the shaft fixed to the plate and tomorrow will put the cam on hope I get it in the right position . Wish I had posted earlier would have save a lot of headache. All I needed was that little clamp. Thought a spot of brass would the job instead the heat cook the adhesive on the
cam and would not adhere to the shaft.
Thanks for all your help

Keno,
    Thanks for your reply. I have looked on EBay as Gary suggested and have found several LH rotation distributors. I also have talked to someone at AAA Marine and was told they do not a .531 dia. Gear in stock. Would you have any other source(s) as to where I might the gear needed. I also have looked on the internet and found very good installation instructions for the new gear. I have looked into JQ’s suggestion do the DUI unit but it is very pricey. I guess sometimes you need to add up the cost of buying used distributor, plus the gear and what others thing arise to add to cost, you could end in same price range. I would like to stay with the points ... Call me the old fart but points have always served me well.
Thanks again
Ike

Gary,
   I have looked on eBay and have found several. I also have an outlet for a new Mallory at not a terrible price. Thanks for your suggestions.
Ike

Thanks for the prompt reply sorry for my delay, busy day. I had read about the DUI distributors and it is definitely an option. Definitely burn a whole in my pocket.
I am still hoping to salvage my old distributor or find older one and change the gears. Always a problem when buying used...you never know what your getting.
Thanks Ike