distributor play

[Al]

Hello

When I removed my distributor cap I turned the rotor in a circular motion to check the movement of the weights and springs. What I noticed is that after the advance springs bring the weights back, there remains some play i.e. I can turn the rotor back a little more after the weights are fully seated.

As my dizzy is a new Mopar unit I suppose there is some play in the distributor drive gear and distributor. How much circular play is normal?

(There is NO play between the cam and the distributor/oil pump drive gear.)

Greets
Al

[flyinlow]

If the engine runs well and the timing advance is working like you want and the timing marks are not dancing around more than a couple of degrees I would not worry about it.

[Al]

If the engine runs well and the timing advance is working like you want and the timing marks are not dancing around more than a couple of degrees I would not worry about it.

The reason why I checked this is because my timing marks were dancing around. Right now I shortened one of the springs in the dizzy. The timing marks are more or less stable now. Replacing the distributor gear drive is an easy fix but for 90 dollars + shipping costs it's no bargain especially if there is the same play in the new piece. 

[Nacho-RT74]

bushing ? a worn bushing could create play between gears, and I'm not talking just about inside like also worn bushing on top

I'm more less on same deal with a +/- 2 or 3 degrees jump

[flyinlow]

Went out and checked my MP 440 dist. I estimate about 5* of slop from where the advance springs stop returning the reluctor/rotor to where  a light twist on the rotor the opposite direction stops.
At 900 rpm idle , timing dances +/-  about 2 or 3 degrees. At 3000 rpm (all in), pretty steady +/- 1 degree. I shortened the slots on my dist to 12 degrees advance and run 24* base timing so it might be defferent then stock. 16 K on engine, new drive gear, bushing and timing chain at that time. Not sure where the slop is, but it dose not seam to bother the engine.

[Al]

bushing ? a worn bushing could create play between gears, and I'm not talking just about inside like also worn bushing on top

I'm more less on same deal with a +/- 2 or 3 degrees jump

The distributor is a new Mopar/Mallory unit. There is no play in the distributor when I checked it. It's only there where the distributor/oil pump drive gear and the distributor end meet.

[Al]

Went out and checked my MP 440 dist. I estimate about 5* of slop from where the advance springs stop returning the reluctor/rotor to where  a light twist on the rotor the opposite direction stops.
At 900 rpm idle , timing dances +/-  about 2 or 3 degrees. At 3000 rpm (all in), pretty steady +/- 1 degree. I shortened the slots on my dist to 12 degrees advance and run 24* base timing so it might be defferent then stock. 16 K on engine, new drive gear, bushing and timing chain at that time. Not sure where the slop is, but it dose not seam to bother the engine.

Thanks for checking! That's exactly what I have, so I guess everything's ok. 

AL

[Nacho-RT74]

I remember having once a perfect timming without any jump issue.

[Al]

I remember having once a perfect timming without any jump issue.

[Nacho-RT74]

but that was long time ago, then I got the jumping timming

[flyinlow]

i suspect the timing chains initial stretch happens very quickly then it settles down for 100,000 miles. At higher speeds the centrifugal force keeps the slack out,combined with the faster advancing/retarding effect of the valve springs tends to smooth it out. Just my hunch. 

[firefighter3931]

Nothing to worry about Al....don't sweat it. 

Mine jumps around a few degrees at idle with the MP distributor. 



Ron

[Al]

Nothing to worry about Al....don't sweat it. 

Mine jumps around a few degrees at idle with the MP distributor. 



Ron