Distributor leaking oil

[WYSpider]

Bump - great write up.

[spider2081]

I have 4 distributors in the basement and all of them have a solid pin. I removed all of them from 80-82 spider 2000's so I think the solid pin can be a stock item. One end of the pin looks larger than the other so the pin might be tapered so I would try and drive it out by hitting the smaller end.

[opus10583]

Hi,

What is the trick? ...I've tried drifting the pin out on three different distributors; correct punch, correct side of the pin, carbon fiber-handled hammer; no such luck.

No naked eye evidence of movement at all.

Thanks,
Mark

[Wheel]

Mark,
I rebuilt mine last weekend. The pin was a real bugger. I almost gave up. The small end of the pin started to mushroom. I then used the dremel to grind this new mushroom off, pounded on it some more and it finally moved. Unfortunately the only tips I can offer are persistence and looking at the rebuild videos on the IAP website.
http://www.international-auto.com/fiat-videos.cfm
Good luck
John

[jfrawley]

The last time I did this repair we used a small press to remove and re-install the pin. I think the constant pressure of the press instead of the sudden banging with a hammer was a better option. They are a bugger to get out, aren't they?

JF

[opus10583]

Hi,

Hours... Hours of banging and cursing and grinding and pleading and banging.

It was like being Thirty again, without the alimony.

The video's similarly a farce: "Zip-Zip, it is done!" ...Pray we never meet in a dark alley.

Finished just ten minutes before my building's hammering curfew.

Don't think I'd ever do it again.

Off to get vacuum hose.

Thanks for the encouragement.
Mark

[Fiatracertracer]

SloSpider that is great info.... Thank you

Do I need 2 bearings and 2 oil seals?

Is there a paper gasket at the bottom of the distributor arm too that needs replacement,,,, this is where the distributor shaft rests on the motor ?

[vandor]

You need 2 bearings, one seal and a paper gasket. If it is an electronic distributor then you also need the o-ring for the distributor body.

[silvadw]

Great thread, helped heaps with my rebuild.
Tip 1 - use a 4mm pin punch on the smaller end of the pin to drive it. After it is 1-2mm below the gear surface continue with a 3mm pin punch. If you don't start this way you will mushroom the top of the pin and it will be a b*tch to get out
Tip 2 - if the ends look like they have been peened over, use a dremel to grind off one end and check size of pin, see above
Tip 3 - replace the little o-rings one the shaft. Mine were like hard plastic
Tip 4 - I used a spark plug socket to seat the bearing and seal after the shaft was inserted. Inserting the shaft dislodged the previously inserted bearing and seal. Hence the use of the plug socket.

After a little shuffling of the distributor to correct the timing, runs like it should

[donm]

I'm detecting noises from my original distributor and want to rebuild it but I have a question. How do the bearings get lubricated? Should they be packed first?