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Topic: '68 Tach Drive distributor problem

in Forum: C3 Engines

'68 Tach Drive distributor problem

Posted: 12/15/07 1:51pm Message 1 of 7
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Jacksonville, FL - USA
Joined: 8/28/2007
Posts: 44
Vette(s): 1968 convertable 327 300hp All numbers matching, rally red with black interior. A/C, power windows, power brakes. Tremic 5speed
The cable going to the tach stopped spinning because the gears on both the main shaft and cross shaft were ground down. I suspect this happened because of a gear misalignment caused by a missing thrust button. I replaced the main shaft, cross shaft gear, washer and thrust button with parts purchased from Dr. Rebuild. The thrust button did not seem to fit correctly but I got thing put back together. This fix the problem for a short time but the now the gears are nearly ruined again. Does anyone have an idea what I am doing wrong. Thank for the help.


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'68 Tach Drive distributor problem

Posted: 12/15/07 5:39pm Message 2 of 7
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Did the distributer turn easily when you got the shaft and cross-gear back in?
Are you certain the tach cable is not binding, which would accelerate the gear wear?
There seems to be a LOT of replacement cross-gears that are not surviving very long...I'm wondering if they are not being properly made/cut. The cross gear should be bearing grade bronze, not brass, as I suspect some of the replacements may be...
There are also some stainless steel shafts/cross gears out there, with needle bearings in the cross-shaft housing...


Joel Adams
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'68 Tach Drive distributor problem

Posted: 12/16/07 9:12am Message 3 of 7
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
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Vette(s): ......
Sounds to me like some more,"Imported"low grade JUNK is getting into the supply.I don't know about the rest of you,but I'm getting tired of paying High Prices for Vette replacement parts,and recieving low quality junk from "overseas" just my $.02 AngryAngryAngry


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'68 Tach Drive distributor problem

Posted: 12/18/07 7:11am Message 4 of 7
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Jacksonville, FL - USA
Joined: 8/28/2007
Posts: 44
Vette(s): 1968 convertable 327 300hp All numbers matching, rally red with black interior. A/C, power windows, power brakes. Tremic 5speed
The cable is not binding.  The cross gear turned smoothly when I put it in but as it worn down it developed problems.  I replaced the main shaft and cross gear at the same time.


'68 Tach Drive distributor problem

Posted: 12/18/07 10:16am Message 5 of 7
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
Sounds like it might be soft material.
Did they get lubed when installed?



 
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'68 Tach Drive distributor problem

Posted: 12/18/07 10:56am Message 6 of 7
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You may have bushings that are worn out in the dist. housing. That would let the dist shaft move away from the cross-shaft, and cause the wear to occur.
If the shaft/gear turned smoothly after you installed them, then the button that didn't seem to fit properly would prolly not create the problem.
Too much end-play on the dist shaft(up/down) could do that, but it would also effect the way the engine runs.

See if there is any side-side movement of the dist shaft at the top, where the rotor sits. There should be none.

Other than those things, it would have to be a quality issue with the gear/shaft...


Joel Adams
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             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

'68 Tach Drive distributor problem

Posted: 12/23/07 6:43pm Message 7 of 7
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
I second the suggestion you check the distributor's bushings.  But there are some very poor quality gears on the market.  We shopped around a lot before finding a good source, but now I can't remember where it was.  I will try ot find out and post again.


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