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My stock distributor is squeaking like a baby pet mouse is stuck in it? Can I lube it some how or is it time to pull the trigger on a new one? Thanks, Jason

Pull it and check that it is not galling on the oil drive support in the block. I have had them fail there and had to replace the block on a vehicle. Seized the distributor and the block together. could not get it out even with a slide hammer.

In the distributor housing, there is a sealed bearing at the top and a bushing at the bottom to support the spinning shaft. Seeing that they are pressed in, I think it may be time for a new distributor.

Seattle FSB wrote:In the distributor housing, there is a sealed bearing at the top and a bushing at the bottom to support the spinning shaft. Seeing that they are pressed in, I think it may be time for a new distributor.

Thanks for the pics. That clears it up. I have the msd box and adapter laying here from another project. I think I need to just pick up the dist and be done with it. Its really annoying.

If you will be using an MSD Multi-Spark Ignition Control, be sure to connect the ground directly to the battery or risk voltage spikes that can damage the box, coil, TFI ICM and PIP. In other words, do not use a body ground. And I recommend the MSD harness that allows bypassing the MSD Box, if required. I went further and also installed the MSD 26 kufd Ignition Noise Filter (PN 8830) to further eliminate voltage spikes.

MSD distributor should be awesome. I would not go with a regular auto parts reman distributor. I just had one fail after only 50 miles of easy highway driving. The distributor gear completely stripped.. I think its due to an inferior cast iron gear since I ran the OEM distributor for 550 miles and only replaced it because I couldn't find the mechanical advance counter springs after I took them out. Camshaft gear wasn't chewed up so obviously the parts store gear was of questionable quality.

Here's a link to my stripped gear thread..
http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... =14&t=3558


Also, make sure you match your distributor gear to your camshaft (bronze, cast iron or steel gear with correct cam type) and it's a good idea to check the oil pump shaft to see if the oil pump might be binding up.

Seattle FSB wrote:If you will be using an MSD Multi-Spark Ignition Control, be sure to connect the ground directly to the battery or risk voltage spikes that can damage the box, coil, TFI ICM and PIP. In other words, do not use a body ground. And I recommend the MSD harness that allows bypassing the MSD Box, if required. I went further and also installed the MSD 26 kufd Ignition Noise Filter (PN 8830) to further eliminate voltage spikes.

I read your whole post on this somewhere and I was going to do what you did. I already have the harness and box, just need the distributor. I also did read elsewhere about the ground issues, and I had same issue on my blower motor in my boat. Once I changed ground, no more blown boxes!

Autozone is not a real parts store. The stuff they sell is inferior.

That is weird Philo, I have a autozone distributor and had it in since I built the motor and no issues thus far. Also I've had better luck with their parts than Napa.

I too have one of their distributors.. bad gear after 50 miles on the highway. I will still continue to buy belts and hoses from them since I've had good luck with that.

philofab wrote:Autozone is not a real parts store. The stuff they sell is inferior.

Yup!! I tool have learned my lesson with parts from them as well. Especially the Bronco for some reason. I pretty much buy from Ford here in Scottsdale only because I get cost.

I think we should probably start a thread on bad luck with faulty parts from part stores. Had I known about the distributor issues early on I would have likely bought an MSD distributor.