question about distributer problems
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question about distributer problems
I have a 429 and it keeps breaking the roll pin in the distributer. Iwas told that the high volume oil pump was the problem. so I put a factory one in and it broke 4days later. any one that can help please do
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Greenville, NC
How are your exhaust valve seals? I had constant problems with the exhaust valve seals breaking, winding up in the oil pan, then getting sucked into the oil pump where they would jam the gear and cause the roll pin to break. After 2 replacements, I came up with the following solution: Wrap the oil pickup with mesh screen available at any home improvement store. Get all metal screen (no plastic coating.) completely cover the oil pickup, and tie it off around the oil pickup tube with some strong wire (also non-plastic coated.) I haven't had a problem since I did this (over 5 years.)
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Duncan B.C.
Wish I could help. I've had the same problem with a Bronco With a 351M & 400M. There seem to be as many opinions about the cause as their are people it happens to. I gave up and am going to swap a 428 into it and see if that works any better. If it breaks a roll pin after that, I'm gonna set fire to it and push it over the bank out back. That'll learn it!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Ive only broken a roll pin one time, and that was when I did not have the cap properly secured, the rotor caught, got jammed up, and cranked the motor.. Whoops...... What kind of resistance are you getting when you manually turn the shaft of the distributor?
Ive never seen an oil pump pickup that never had a screen installed into it. Adding the second screen seems like cheap insurance to keep the primary screen from plugging up with crap.
Ive never seen an oil pump pickup that never had a screen installed into it. Adding the second screen seems like cheap insurance to keep the primary screen from plugging up with crap.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Greenville, NC
The oil pump pickup has a screen, but if you look at it there is a gap where large pieces of garbage can get by. I knew it was the valve stem seals because I found bits of them in the bottom of the oil pan when I pulled it. Just FYI, I live in eastern NC, and run 20W50.
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From: Duncan B.C.
I was probably using too heavy an oil (20-50) the first and second time mine broke a roll pin But the rest of the time I had been using 10-30 . I broke 3 single roll pins, one doubled-up pin(2 c'd one inside the other ) and 1 brand new distributor gear. I replaced the oil pump, the distributor, the timing set and the engine (first 1 was a 400m 2nd is a 351m) and it still breaks roll pins. Ididn't find anything wrong with the pump but now I wish I had tried putting another screen on it. Now I'm wondering about that....
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Hmm, I have used light and heavy oils-up to 50w, with a high volume/pressure pump in my 429, and it has been good-cold or warm weather.
I have heard of problems with the 429/460's not having proper distributor clearance-ie, clamping down the distributor did damage-but I cannot remember what the outcome is. Im guessing, but perhaps the dist. housing, being pushed down by the hold down bolt, may cause binding of the dist. gear-and result in pin shear?
I know some newer style aftermarket dist. have an adjustable collar for the "hold down" to alleviate this problem.
I have heard of problems with the 429/460's not having proper distributor clearance-ie, clamping down the distributor did damage-but I cannot remember what the outcome is. Im guessing, but perhaps the dist. housing, being pushed down by the hold down bolt, may cause binding of the dist. gear-and result in pin shear?
I know some newer style aftermarket dist. have an adjustable collar for the "hold down" to alleviate this problem.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Greenville, NC
Ford specs 20W50 for all temps over 20 degrees (which it get below maybe once every 5 years where I live, and even then only overnight.) 10W30 or 10W40 for over 0 degrees, and 5W30 for below 60 degrees.
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all valve seals are new. I had no trash in oil pan oil was clean. I was told that my cam could be walking a little bit and causing it to bid up. When it breaks I'll be riding down the road and it will backfire and it breaks and motor dies.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
61489S .. RIVET-Dizzy Gear to Shaft / 1/8" x 13/16" / This is not a roll pin!
All V8's = use without Electronic (DuraSpark) Ignition.
----------------------------------------------------
67555S .. Roll Pin-Dizzy Gear to Shaft / Spring Coil Type (aka split pin) / 1/8" x 3/4"
Used on all V8's with Electronic (DuraSpark) Ignition.
Both these parts (these are FoMoCo "hardware" part numbers) are available from Ford.
Prolly every dealer in the US/Canada stocks them.
All V8's = use without Electronic (DuraSpark) Ignition.
----------------------------------------------------
67555S .. Roll Pin-Dizzy Gear to Shaft / Spring Coil Type (aka split pin) / 1/8" x 3/4"
Used on all V8's with Electronic (DuraSpark) Ignition.
Both these parts (these are FoMoCo "hardware" part numbers) are available from Ford.
Prolly every dealer in the US/Canada stocks them.
