Help on my distributor - distrib.jpg (0/1)

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Bill k - 02 Apr 2005 21:46 GMT

I have attached the Service Manual illustration of my 1955 Nash
Rambler distribtor which is giving me trouble. It then gives
instrution folr maintenace, but does not show parts of the distributor
it refers to

The oiul reservoir should be filled every 10,000 miles.

But where is the place to put in the oil?

Also place a few drops of light engine oil on the breaker lever pivot.

But where is that?

The individual breaker and support plates are not serviced seperately.
Saturate the lubricating felt with light oil ever 5000 miles

I don't see any felt? Where do you put the oil?

A bit of ball bearing gfrease should be put on the cam every 5000
miles?

Also, when explaing timeing it says the following

Locate the number one piston in firing position.

I presume the number one cylender is thefirst one on the block,
starting behind the radiator.

But where is the firing position?

I realize I am a simpleton, but I do need help. I hope someone will
post or Email me.

willkenn@charter.net

Bill Kennedy

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George Patterson - 02 Apr 2005 22:22 GMT

> The oiul reservoir should be filled every 10,000 miles.
> But where is the place to put in the oil?

Remove the "pipe plug" and squirt oil in through the hole until it runs out.
Then put the plug back in.

> Also place a few drops of light engine oil on the breaker lever pivot.
> But where is that?

Look at the right-hand illustration. This is what you should see when you remove
the distributor cap. The pivot is at the top of the "breaker lever."

> The individual breaker and support plates are not serviced seperately.
> Saturate the lubricating felt with light oil ever 5000 miles
> I don't see any felt? Where do you put the oil?

Somewhere in the area under the distributor cap, there should be a small
(perhaps 1/4" long) felt pad. It's quite possible that this pad was used on the
original breaker point assembly and does not exist on modern replacement parts.

> A bit of ball bearing gfrease should be put on the cam every 5000
> miles?

The cam is clearly labeled as the "breaker cam." The grease goes on the flat
sides of cam (the areas that press against the breaker lever during operation.
Apply only a thin film (I smear it on with my finger). Usually a small tube of
grease is included when you buy a new set of breaker points.

> I presume the number one cylender is thefirst one on the block,
> starting behind the radiator.

Correct.

> But where is the firing position?

There should be an index mark on the front pulley that's attached to the
crankshaft. There will be a matching mark on the engine block, or possibly
several marks labeled with some number of degrees. Remove the valve cover and
coil wire. Then turn the engine over until the two marks are aligned, the intake
valve of #1 was the last one open, and both valves are closed. That's firing
position for that cylinder.

If the block has degree markings, rather than just a single mark, you will need
something like Chilton's manual to tell you what number of degrees is correct
for this engine. An engine is typically tuned to fire at something like 28
degrees before the piston reaches top dead center, but the exact number of
degrees varies from engine to engine.

George Patterson
Whosoever bloweth not his own horn, the same shall remain unblown.

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