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L-head Distributor Not Turning

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Cooper, Jul 1, 2016.

  1. Jul 1, 2016
    Cooper

    Cooper New Member

    Ludington, MI
    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2003
    Messages:
    27
    Need some help. I just did a tune up on my 48 Jeepster, all factory stock, 6 volt, L-head. New plugs, cap, rotor, points, and condenser. Before this everything was ok, I just had really weak spark at the points which were about ten years old. After tune up, Jeep wouldn't start, turned over fine but no fire, so I pulled the cap off to check for spark at the points and found the rotor not turning. I can move by hand about 180 degrees and I can see the weights moving but it doesn't spin when the motor turns. Getting ready to pull the distributor but what am I looking for or do I have to be careful with anything. Any ideas would be great. Thanks
     
  2. Jul 1, 2016
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
    Messages:
    596
    Try putting the old rotor back on first and check to see if it still doesn't rotate.

    The old distributors often had a small metal bushing in them to help position the rotor on to the top of the shaft. If that is missing, I suppose it's possible the rotor could just spin on top of the shaft.

    You might also have gotten the wrong rotor.

    Now, if the shaft doesn't spin, then you have problems with the shaft or oil pump or ? Odd that it did that out of the blue.
     
  3. Jul 2, 2016
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    421
    Just went through this with my 3B.

    As gunner said, try the old parts first.

    If the shaft really isn't turning, pull your distributor. Check that the shaft rotates freely, bushings are not excessively worn and the tab on the end of the shaft isn't damaged.

    Now, with the distributor out, pull the oil pump. Check it for binding in the gears. Check the roll pin in the drive gear. The only way to know for sure is to drive it out and replace it. Mine was sheared off but looked intact. If it comes out in pieces, you've found the problem.

    If the oil pump checks out, the trouble is probably the fiber timing gear on the camshaft.

    Good luck!
     
  4. Jul 2, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Maybe the springy locating clip inside the rotor button isn't there?

    Actually I see gunner mentioned that. :)
     
  5. Jul 2, 2016
    Cooper

    Cooper New Member

    Ludington, MI
    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2003
    Messages:
    27
    Well, here is what I found. Sheared the drive tab off the distributor which most likely was my fault. I found a small nut jammed in the distributor weights that must have come from the points. What I didn't realize when unthreading the stud part of the points from the mounting bracket was that it had this small nut on the bottom side, or so I think because it threads onto it. This nut bent a part in the weights and everything was bound up on a rivet inside the distributor housing. Not sure if the tab can be fixed so I ordered a new distributor from Walicks this morning. Thanks for the comments and I will have her back running soon.
     
  6. Jul 2, 2016
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2007
    Messages:
    5,916
    We do learn from doing.
     
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