[DeTomaso] Update on Distributor Pin issue, plus Rally and Laguna

[Daniel C Jones]

The pin is rarely the issue.  The cause is debris getting into the oil
pump gears causing them to lock up momentarily.  The stock oil
pickups have a bypass hole and many aftermarket pickups have a
coarse screen.  Either can allow debris to make it to the pump.
Ford switched to a full mesh screen on later 335 series engines
(351C/351M/400).  In street cars, debris is often from failing valve
seals.

Dan Jones


   Our motor builder was aware of the pin issue.A  A So our MSD
>    distributor already hadA an oversized pin -- a 3/16" chevy pin instead
>    of the small 1/8" ford pin.A  The builder used an MSD pin, so he is now
>    wondering if MSD had a run of bad pins and is concerned about another
>    engine he used one on (will be instructing theA customer to replace
>    it).A  Anyway, we ordered hardened replacement pins, the stronger grade
>    of the two available grades of multi-layer Chevy pins made by
>    McMaster-Carr to replace what was in there.A  A All else checked out
>    ok.A A
>
>
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   The pin is rarely the issue.A  The cause is debris getting into the oil
   pump gears causing them to lock up momentarily.A  The stock oil
   pickups have a bypass hole and many aftermarket pickups have a
   coarse screen.A  Either can allow debris to make it to the pump.
   Ford switched to a full mesh screen on later 335 series engines
   (351C/351M/400).A  In street cars, debris is often from failing valve
   seals.
   Dan Jones

     A  A Our motor builder was aware of the pin issue.AA  A So our MSD
     A  A distributor already hadA an oversized pin -- a 3/16" chevy pin
     instead
     A  A of the small 1/8" ford pin.AA  The builder used an MSD pin, so
     he is now
     A  A wondering if MSD had a run of bad pins and is concerned about
     another
     A  A engine he used one on (will be instructing theA customer to
     replace
     A  A it).AA  Anyway, we ordered hardened replacement pins, the
     stronger grade
     A  A of the two available grades of multi-layer Chevy pins made by
     A  A McMaster-Carr to replace what was in there.AA  A All else
     checked out
     A  A ok.A A
     A