Distributor gummed sticky clean dizzy

[K85 Octane]

Hoping to make this easy to search for.

I pulled the cap off the distributor, started to change springs and the stop but found it was very gummed up. It does not move freely

I pulled springs, stop and weights off. What's the best way to clean it up? Electrical parts cleaner (not-brake cleaner...cleaner)? Is there a good way to do this?

PS- shaft spins free, it's the mechanical advance that doesn't.

Thanks ya'll

 

[ktmoutfront]

Wrap a rag around it so the crap does not fall into the shaft bushing. Brake cleaner it. Pulling the weights and springs off would be the correct way.

 

[Blue85]

For an older distributor without a module in it, I can't see any problem with Brake Clean. The module in an HEI *should* be sealed, but having a rag cover everything but the moving parts should make it almost no risk.

As a follow-on question - is there anything that makes a good lube for those moving parts? It's obviously exposed to high temps and engine oil fumes, so it probably can't be a simple petroleum grease. Graphite seems like a bad idea due to the conductive nature. Or is leaving it bare the only way to prevent gathering dust?

 

[Wes Harden]

Are you asking about the shaft twisting action ? Penetrating oil will wash any old sticky stuff out, and don't care if runs down the shaft to housing bushings. Those are probably sticky too.

 

[K85 Octane]

So this is an MSD dizzy. Has the circuit board kind of exposed. It's this stuff isn't overly sensitive, I can bag it with just the top showing. Hold upside down and spray it. The "shaft plate" and "outer plate" do not move on their own. Quite gummy, which is weird and I wonder why

 

[ktmoutfront]

That far apart. Drive the roll pin out and pull the shaft and clean it all.

 

[K85 Octane]

You talking in the gear? After that just pulls out?
Anything I should know when putting back together? Any timing? Lock tight on the pin?

 

[ktmoutfront]

You talking in the gear? After that just pulls out?

Yes.

Anything I should know when putting back together? Any timing? Lock tight on the pin?

No.

 

[K85 Octane]

Fine.



Thanks sir