The distributor rebuild is nearing completion. I've had to improvise some parts, which is what I'd like comments on.

The original nylon washer, as well as the "thingy", are history. In the photo you can see my proposed solutions.

Thinking that I can make a cheesy nylon washer as well as anyone, I bought 2 stainless steel washers, and will clamp them to the shaft with the improvised "nylon c-clamp", which is just a nylon washer with a cut in one side to make it flexible to push onto the shaft. But since there are really no forces acting upward on this shaft...and since I'll be one one servicing the distributor from here on out...I would thing this should serve. At 13 cents a hit I won't mind replacing them.

The bottom shows a brass collar I bought. I plan to cut it down to the correct height (0.08" or so per Kirby) and use that as the thrust bearing. I just wasn't able to find anything that would fit snug to the shaft, yet not interfere with the weights. As is obvious in the photo, the collar ID is larger than the OD of the shaft. Is that going to cause problems? I'm considering (after it's cut to the right height) of packing it with JB Weld to hold it in the center. Since the flange the collar will sit on is fixed to the shaft, it doesn't seem to matter of the collar turns or not.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

John
1987 XJS V12, 62,000 miles

 

The nylon bushing on the top of the shaft is available thru a Land Rover dealer. Have them show you an exploded view of the old Range Rover distributer. I used them years ago with no problems.