distributor teeth sheered off

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Feb 21, 2002 | 03:58 PM

dspa23

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distributor teeth sheered off

My truck just died on me while driving. After some troubleshooting on the 400 engine. I discovered the distributor rotor was not rotating while the engine was being cranked. I pulled the distributor and discovered three teeth sheered of the distributor shaft. I stuck a telescopic magnet in the hole, trying to retrieve any metal teeth but retrieved nothing. Would the metal fragments work their way to the oil pan, because I had to crank the engine quite a few times during the troubleshooting? In other words what would you do if this happened to you? Thanks for your response in advance. Dspa23

Feb 21, 2002 | 04:04 PM

beartracks

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Albuquerque

distributor teeth sheered off

1. I would change the oil and install a magnetic drain plug before trying to start it again. You may have a frozen oil pump. Does the distributor turn easily?

Bear Tracks

Feb 21, 2002 | 04:13 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

distributor teeth sheered off

Look at the end of the dist. I think those motors are like ford's other's in that it's a hex shaft that drives the oil pump. Get a small socket and extension that matches the size of the hole on the end of the dist, and stick it down onto the oil pump driveshaft in the engine. Try turning the shaft to see if the oil pump is locked up.

Feb 21, 2002 | 06:56 PM

dspa23

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distributor teeth sheered off

>Look at the end of the dist. I think those motors are like
>ford's other's in that it's a hex shaft that drives the oil
>pump. Get a small socket and extension that matches the
>size of the hole on the end of the dist, and stick it down
>onto the oil pump driveshaft in the engine. Try turning the
>shaft to see if the oil pump is locked up.

Yep, the oil pump is locked up. Looks like I'll have to take it out and inspect it.

Feb 21, 2002 | 11:23 PM

4xF250

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Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Pekin USA

distributor teeth sheered off

while your at it be sure those teeth didn't find there way to the timing gears, we just had to replace a timing chain setup due to a similar problem. and when you get yer pan off look around and try to find out whatever is getting into the pump. hope it's nothin but a bum pump, good luck and have fun.

Feb 22, 2002 | 07:39 AM

jalampi

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Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Michigan

distributor teeth sheered off

Many years ago when my truck HAD a 400 in it the oil pump locked up due to a piece of valve seal and seared off the gear.
And last year my the distributor on my 360 locked up due to the internals of the distributor giving out at some high RPMs. Know I am running MSD and love it.

1979 F350,4x4,NP435,5:13 gears,Detroit locker in rear,ABR in the front,360 with 428 crank & rods,390 HP heads,Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch,MSD Ignition,39.5x18 Boggers,bucket seat out of a Lightning,& a Southern Body that is perfect.