<VV> Distributer shaft

[Doug Mackintosh]

I don't know the tolerance, but I had the roll pin supporting the thrust washer 
on the shaft at the bottom of the housing (which controls upward movement) break 
on one of my distributors. It moved up enough to grind the mechanical advance 
pins off against the underside of the points plate, eventually causing a spring 
to come off and wedge against the shaft, locking everything up. I think it also 
was hitting the underside of the cap. Not sure which will make contact first 
(the mechanical advance mech or the rotor/cap). 


It is easy enough to check for the problem I had - just pull the distributor and 
look at the thrust washer/roll pin.

Ralph asked:

<<With the car idling unevenly I started looking for obvious signs of things out 
of place, I was visually checking the internals of the distributor. I noticed 
evidence of the rotor hitting the plastic base of the contacts on the cap. Like 
just once or so, but still??? So I tried to twist the shaft, it moved very 
little. I tried to pull up on the shaft, I was able to lift it 5/64". What is 
the tolerance for this?
I know more about driving that wrenching, but I would like to give my mechanic 
some intellengent direction, in this problem.
Thanks Ralph
65 Corsa 140>>
 -- Doug Mackintosh
Corsa member since 1996
Corsa/NC member since 1996, Virtual Vairs member
Corvair owner 1969-1971 and 1996-on