Is this a common HEI distributor failure?

I started to tear down my HEI tonight so I could soda blast the housing tomorrow and found this upon teardown. This is a 70's something even fire HEI that I converted to odd-fire 8 or so years ago. I don't recall any issues when I did the conversion. The last time the Jeep was running, I didn't really notice anything acting up either.

When I took off the rotor


Top bushing in the housing broke at some point in time. The bottom bushing is fine other than some normal wear from 35+ years. The shaft seems "tight" when in both bushings.





Are these bushings replaceable? If not then I guess a junkyard trip is in order unless I pony up for a rebuilt unit.

 

I'm sure they are and if not a sealed bearing would work in its place or get a piece of "oil impregnated" bronze and build your own.

 

Isn't there a groove in the top of the bushing to hold a snap ring? If so then making a new one is not so simple, I would think.

 

JMO - buy a reman.

RockAuto shows a A1-Cardone reman distributor for a '77 231 Skylark odd-fire for $85, and a $10 core. I'd keep the core - the module is worth more than the core charge. Put your seasoned Delco module in the reman, and keep the extra for a spare. You may also be able to put your existing gear on the reman.

 

Not that I can see. The shaft is held in the body by the drive gear on the bottom.

This is what I'm going to do. Just haven't decided if I get a stock one and then recurve it, or buy a Davis DUI already recurved.