[DeTomaso] Weirdness with my Cleveland ...

[Don Thomas]

Erik,

Here is a link to more information about the Distributor Gear Set-up and
shearing of the Roll Pin.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/119419/message/1206670748/this+from+the+Ford+Forum+429-460+board

Cheers,

-dt


From: "Erik Anderson" <eanderson at geotracinternational.com>
To: <JDeRyke at aol.com>, <detomaso at realbig.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 20:35:22 -0600
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Weirdness with my Cleveland ...
From: JDeRyke at aol.com [mailto:JDeRyke at aol.com]
Sent: Wed 09-Jul-08 1:25 PM
To: Erik Anderson; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Weirdness with my Cleveland ...


In a message dated 7/8/08 10:26:48 PM, eanderson at geotracinternational.comwrites:



       Given that this seems to be a common "weak link" (I have a Motorcraft
distributor converted to work with my MSD ignition system), I am now
thinking it's time to upgrade.  Does anyone have any suggestions? I just
sussed the summitracing.com site and see that several options are available.
I need a new distributor with vacuum advance, adaptable to my MSD and has no
clearance problems.



A new distributor is not a fix for the sheared Ford drive pin syndrome.
Brand new aftermarket assemblies usually are shipped with the identical pin
that sheared in your Motorcraft. In fact, a failure in a new aftermarket
distributor is what caused MD Antenucci to DNF an open road event one year,
ruining his record- for want of a 25 cent pin. FWIW, I suggest you simply
re-pin the Motorcraft and spend your money elsewhere; thats about as good an
ignition as they make, and parts are available everywhere quite cheap. My 2
cents- J Deryke

I understand your reasoning.  I had to go to four places today to even find
a roll pin that would fit, and I am not super happy with what I found (even
though it is aluminum).  I had a look at the other distributors in each shop
and, aside from a very high-end Mallory distributor (sorry, I forget the
model), they all seem to deply the same pin.  So, I am going to take your
advice and stick with the Motorcraft.

A final question (I hope!) ... Is it OK if the pin is flush with the gear
once I bang it in?  The only pin I could find will fit exactly flush with
the gear (ie. there is zero overhang).  I assume this is good enough?

Thanks again, guys.

EA