351 Distributor

[Ant]

After exploring different options with the block spigot issue I have come up with a fix, machine/grind the spigot down 0.030" make up an interference fit sleeve out of 4130 and either heat and slip over shaft or loctite and press on. The only downside is if replacing a gear the sleeve will need to be ground off.

I need the exact 351 distributor shaft size below the drive gear the ICE guy measured a worn shaft at 0.514.7"

Jac Mac I am not sure about the 0.513" for block measurement and its probably very hard to measure the block, if the shafts are around 0.515" then I would assume the block would be more like 0.518" any info greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by Jac Mac

Hi Ant, Rick,

351w spigot on shaft is 0.513" [ Five Hundred and Thirteen thousands of an inch ].
So a sleeve would only have a wall thickness of 0.0115" with your 0.490" spigot...
If you ask me ICE have stuffed up on these, ALL 351w blocks are 0.513" IIRC...THE only 0.490" blocks were AUSSIE Manufactured 351 c with the electronic Bosch Distributor.

The ICE site states that the distributor you have has one roller bearing & one bronze bush, so the gear face that contacts the block controls the end thrust as Ford intended, the roller brg & bush do not. They dont state whether the roller brg is @ top or bottom.

Personally Ant I would not be happy with that amount of clearance @ the spigot even though you are not going to have the oil pump load, yes I realise the ICE distributor body extends right down to the gear & therefore it should be more stable than the Ford setup, but the amount of support is still the same in the block, how nice a fit is the dizzy in the block?, whip the rubber o-ring off & try it..