Distributor too loose in manifold problem
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Allentown, PA
Distributor too loose in manifold problem
Hi Guys,
I have an Edelbrock manifold and Mallory distributor and I'm concerned that there is excessive clearance between the manifold and the distributor.
Here are some numbers
Manifold ID 1.983
Distributor OD 1.852
That's a difference of .131
Even with the rubber o-ring like seal on the dizzy I am only measuring about 1.955 or so over thr rubber. Meaning there is still a significant clearance or a place for an oil leak.
I have two different Edelbrock manifolds and both measure about the same on the dizzy hole and I did have a leak with the old one, which is why I'm trying to nip this problem now with the new manifold before it's installed. I'm a machinist so I'm thinking of bushing the manifold down to about 1.900 and letting the seal do the rest.
Has anybody ever run into this problem? Is it just with Mallory distributors and Edelbrock manifolds?
Thanks!!
I have an Edelbrock manifold and Mallory distributor and I'm concerned that there is excessive clearance between the manifold and the distributor.
Here are some numbers
Manifold ID 1.983
Distributor OD 1.852
That's a difference of .131
Even with the rubber o-ring like seal on the dizzy I am only measuring about 1.955 or so over thr rubber. Meaning there is still a significant clearance or a place for an oil leak.
I have two different Edelbrock manifolds and both measure about the same on the dizzy hole and I did have a leak with the old one, which is why I'm trying to nip this problem now with the new manifold before it's installed. I'm a machinist so I'm thinking of bushing the manifold down to about 1.900 and letting the seal do the rest.
Has anybody ever run into this problem? Is it just with Mallory distributors and Edelbrock manifolds?
Thanks!!
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Comparison........ my factory aluminum intake measures 1.965 for the distributor hole. 1.85 on a factory dual point distributor surface and 1.995 on the widest top part of the rubber seal. It is a compressed fit tapered seal. Overall fit is nice and snug.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Allentown, PA
Interesting- thanks for taking the time to measure that stuff for me. I see your manifold is .018 smaller than mine and your rubber seal is larger by .030. Do you recall what brand seal you have or where you got it? Mine is a Fel-Pro that came with their #1246 intake gaskets.
Thanks again!!
Thanks again!!
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
.015" squish wont meen anything ..You'll be just fine...Tolorences on most are + or - .030" if your lucky... i use too buy gaskets from Mr. Gasley for highes Aircraft (A Wynns Oil company) in the day..and that was standard for common gaskets..
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 840
Likes: 8
I had the same problem with a Mallory Dist and an Offy manifold. I suspect the groove in the dist is too deep. It seems a snug fit, but oil did work it's way out over time.
So, I fixed it.....kinda "buckshee", but it worked. I cut some thick gasket paper in a strip the same width as the groove and trimmed the length so it fit around the dist, in the groove, with no gap, and no overlap. Then I installed the tapered seal over the gasket paper.
Might be worth a try.
I also experimented with different size standard 0-rings, even tyrying two, one under the other, but couldn't come up with a decent fit. Either too loose or too tight.
Using a "new" correct seal does seem to help, but I still use the gasket paper trick. Old seals seem to compress around the tapered pointy edge over time, as well as hardening up.
So, I fixed it.....kinda "buckshee", but it worked. I cut some thick gasket paper in a strip the same width as the groove and trimmed the length so it fit around the dist, in the groove, with no gap, and no overlap. Then I installed the tapered seal over the gasket paper.
Might be worth a try.
I also experimented with different size standard 0-rings, even tyrying two, one under the other, but couldn't come up with a decent fit. Either too loose or too tight.
Using a "new" correct seal does seem to help, but I still use the gasket paper trick. Old seals seem to compress around the tapered pointy edge over time, as well as hardening up.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 840
Likes: 8
I had the same problem with a Mallory Dist and an Offy manifold. I suspect the groove in the dist is too deep. It seems a snug fit, but oil did work it's way out over time.
So, I fixed it.....kinda "buckshee", but it worked. I cut some thick gasket paper in a strip the same width as the groove and trimmed the length so it fit around the dist, in the groove, with no gap, and no overlap. Then I installed the tapered seal over the gasket paper.
Might be worth a try.
I also experimented with different size standard 0-rings, even tyrying two, one under the other, but couldn't come up with a decent fit. Either too loose or too tight.
Using a "new" correct seal does seem to help, but I still use the gasket paper trick. Old seals seem to compress around the tapered pointy edge over time, as well as hardening up.
So, I fixed it.....kinda "buckshee", but it worked. I cut some thick gasket paper in a strip the same width as the groove and trimmed the length so it fit around the dist, in the groove, with no gap, and no overlap. Then I installed the tapered seal over the gasket paper.
Might be worth a try.
I also experimented with different size standard 0-rings, even tyrying two, one under the other, but couldn't come up with a decent fit. Either too loose or too tight.
Using a "new" correct seal does seem to help, but I still use the gasket paper trick. Old seals seem to compress around the tapered pointy edge over time, as well as hardening up.
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