Distributor Shaft Play?

[IBFJ62]

How much, if any, play should there be in the distributor shaft once it's installed? Thanks.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Wouldn’t seem like much. I’ve had mine in and out a few times. Right now it’s out but the pump is out too so I can’t verify it for you. Maybe @evilorgoodtwin or @4Cruisers both who’ve recently had theirs out and back in might know.

 

[Infinity00]

I don’t remember feeling any, once it gets seated with the o ring and mating gears. That said I don’t worry about it on the cruiser since the dizzy is renowned for its quality. I have had play in an old Subaru and it’s very noticeable when it was bad, and the car didn’t run very well. Come to think of it, an old Honda I had also had a noticeable amount of play. The cruiser doesn’t in my opinion, when compared (by memory) of those two.

If no one else can answer definitively for you, I’ll loosen up my bolt and try to wiggle it...

 

[IBFJ62]

Thanks guys, I've got a noticeable amount, and a new oil pump, so I'm assuming the dist is just old and worn at this point.

 

[FJ40Jim]

The dissy shaft rides in a sealed bearing. It should have zero play.

 

[Infinity00]

There you go! Jim, I thought you took weekends off!

 

[4Cruisers]

I don't believe there's supposed to be much play. The late FJ40/FJ60/62 distributor shafts are supported by ball bearings, unlike the older distributors. And I just checked the original vacuum retard distributor from my '76 FJ40's 2F (~64,000 miles when upgraded to FJ60 electronic ignition), and there's almost no play, even removed from the block.

 

[IBFJ62]

Ok, let me clarify, just to make sure I'm asking the right question. With the cap off, I can slightly rotate the shaft, moving the end of the rotor back and forth. There is a little play of the shaft itself as well. Distributor shot and time for a replacement?

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I’d pull it and try seating it again. Be 100% sure it’s fully down on the housing too.
Would seem even in hand, one on top and one at bottom you shouldn’t get any wiggle back and forth. It’s a solid straight shaft...

 

[mwebfj60]

You should have a tiny bit of play rotating back and forth...cam gear and dist gear going from leading to trailing on their mesh. You should also be able to rotate the rotor clockwise the amount of the mechanical advance and it should spring back when let go.

Like Jim said, if there is lateral play side to side of the shaft that’s not a good thing.

 

[FJ40Jim]

Nevermind, there is quite a bit of angular slop in the entire dissy drive system.
It doesn't matter because the system loads up in the dragging direction when running.