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Posted By Discussion Topic: 38 Ford Distributor/camshaft -- page: 1 2     jccorbin 06-24-2010 @ 6:19 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 23 Joined: Jun 2010 I have a ’38 Ford Fordor Deluxe sedan 24 stud engine. This is my first experience with a Flathead V8 and I have an issue that I simply cannot figure out. I have installed the distributor many times in the past two years but apparently this time I did not get the key properly lined up. I felt little resistance when I tightened the bolts and I tightened them lightly. Everything felt normal. It always fires immediately so when it did not fire within a couple rotations I removed the distributor and noticed the cam was recessed into the block beyond the point where it would engage the distributor key. My question is how do I get it back out and what keeps it from disengaging while it is running? I figured the cam thrust was to the front but that does not seem to be the case. I have called as many folks as I can but no one has heard of this happening before. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated……Thanks……Jerry 42wagon 06-25-2010 @ 3:14 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 584 Joined: Oct 2009 Jerry I may have this backwards and someone will probably correct me but here goes. Are you using the 38 "diving helmet" type distributor or the later 42 to 48 style distributor? If you are using the later distributor there is a small disk with the keys in it that extends the camshaft. This may have fallen out when you took the distributor off the car. This is the only way I can account for what you have described. I do not believe that you can push the camshaft back into the engine. Ted jccorbin 06-25-2010 @ 4:15 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 23 Joined: Jun 2010 Thanks Ted, I am using the stock 38 distributor…..I assume it is the “diving helmet” type. I cannot find a diagram that shows the rear of the camshaft or anything that would prevent the camshaft from moving to the rear like a thrust washer/spacer or whatever. So the only thing I can figure is that cam/crank gear cut creates forward thrust that keeps the cam engaged with the distributor. But, hand turning the crank does not move the camshaft forward and the gear cut diagrams seem to indicate that camshaft thrust is to the rear unless I’m reading it incorrectly. My little 20 minute "it's not quite perfect" maneuver has now resulted in five days of frustration in 90 + degree heat and humidity. And that’s not to mention the difficulty of getting the distributor out from the bottom between the radiator, frame, and the crank pulley all the while using a motorcycle mirror and flashlight to see what’s happening. And, of course, it’s my wife’s car and she continuously reminds me that “it was running fine!!!”. Oh well………Jerry 37RAGTOPMAN 06-25-2010 @ 5:43 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1961 Joined: Oct 2009 Its a long shot, but maybe when you installed the dist,and was not lined up,it put pressure on the camshaft gear and pressed the gear OFF the camshaft,just a little backward ,so now does not meet the offset in the Dist SHAFT,, [ THIS IS A REAL LONG SHOT,cause it takes a lot of pressure to install a gear on a camshaft, but who knows who worked on the engine in the past,wish had more info to go by, I hate the pressed on gears,had some issues with them in the past,the bolt on gears are the best to use,and easiest to use, what was FORD thinking,? on the pressed on gears? if you have to change the gears on the bolt on camshaft you just remove the timing cover and unbolt and bolt the new gear in place,and just align up the timing marks, try accessing he the dist from the bottom, if you can do this use a big mirror and a good light, if the gear has been pressed off you will have to remove the camshaft,which means removing all the valve springs and keepers, you can use cloths pins to hole the valve up , when removing the camshaft,you do not have to remove the heads,just the intake,and front timing cover,and try locating a bolt on gear camshaft. if this happened which I hope did not, just remember you are home and not on the road,cause it would have sooner or later presented to be a big problem LETS HEAR WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, ALSO check the back of dist shaft to see if it was pressed forward,check the amount of shaft coming out of the back of dist to see maybe it was moved forward,? KEEP ON TRUCKIN 37RAGTOPMAN 40 Coupe 06-25-2010 @ 6:18 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1676 Joined: Oct 2009 Look for a round adaptor that has fallen out of the area between the cam and the distributor. jccorbin 06-25-2010 @ 6:19 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 23 Joined: Jun 2010 Thanks......I had assumed the cam gear was over the cam shaft and that the slot was the end of the camshaft. If indeed the slot is part of the cam gear then this is the first scenario that makes sense. I need to take a closer look at the cam gear......Thanks again.....Jerry jccorbin 06-25-2010 @ 6:33 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 23 Joined: Jun 2010 Well......I found a "round adapter" between the crank pulley and the cover. "The simplest explanation is often the most valid”…..I hope this applies to my situation…….Thanks, Thanks, Thanks…….Jerry TomO 06-25-2010 @ 9:01 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7253 Joined: Oct 2009 Now that you have found the adapter, drill and tap it for a set screw to hold it on the back of the distributer, so you won't lose it again. Tom supereal 06-25-2010 @ 9:13 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 More often than not, failing to line up the offset tang between the distributor and camshaft destroys the distributor when the engine is turned over, if the "ears" of the distributor haven't already broken. If the timing gear doesn't turn with the crankshaft, it is likely teeth were sheared when the camshaft was locked. The shaft can't be pushed back without damage. The front cover forms the thrust surface. The back of the shaft has a pressed on gear that drives the oil pump. If the cam is indeed pushed back. the gear cover behind the flywheel may have broken. When correctly positioned, the distributor should lie flat on the cover, and the bolts should be turned in a few rounds with the fingers before being snugged up. 37RAGTOPMAN 06-25-2010 @ 9:56 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1961 Joined: Oct 2009 Like .I said "super" it was a long shot that something got moved back, 1/16 back could cause problems. its impossible to tell not unless you are there,and see for yourself, a bad camshaft gear with worn teeth [ USUALLY has a RATTLING NOISE ] Most likley the crank gear is worn out also, replacing both is the only way to go, so the engine timing remains constant,so has no back lash, ALWAY INSPECT THE CRANK GEAR for pits and roughness, esp if it is a original one, KEEP ON TRUCKIN, 37RAGTOPMAN This message was edited by 37RAGTOPMAN on 6-26-10 @ 6:33 AM

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