delco distributor end float

[cruiseman]

On the advice of Glen Towery, I acquired a distributor from a buick 215 and have trial fitted it to my front cover (engine still being assembled) but am concerned about what appears to be a large amount of end float between the distributor bottom and the drive gear.  I want to be sure that the gear meets the cam gear in the right position.

I know lots of Delco distributors are being used in Rover engines so hope someone can answer my question.  I have looked extensively in past posts but cannot seem to find this answer,  maybe it's not something to worry about once the distributor is assembled in the car.

Richard Woodley

[Moderator]

I don't know the answer to your question about end float, but I can tell you that I sent my Delco distributor to Jeff Schlemmer (of Advanced Distributors) several years ago to have it rebuilt, curved, and fitted with a Pertronix Ignitor. That's one way to make sure everything is in good shape.

[mstemp]

What year rover and version of the timing cover are you using? Rover SD1 versions and up will not mesh with the old Buick dizy.

[cruiseman]

Thanks Mike, good thing I got a Buick 300 front cover when I got the distributor as my current cover is off a SD1.  Are the oil pump gears the same length or will they have to be exchanged as well.  

The only reason I went for the delco was that the lucus dizzy that came with the car was an early electronic versions that I understand comes with a whole lot of problems.  I also have a 35D8 but not sure thats any better than the other one.  The delco seemed to be the easiest solution.

[mstemp]

Hears are different between the covers. All depends on the shape of the cover. If it's scored badly you can get a new cover with oil pump that is compatible with the Delco for $100.  That's what I did on my 4.6L Rover with a Delco.

[joe_padavano]

If by "end float" you mean excessive up-and-down play in the distributor shaft, this is fairly common in stock Delco distributors.  There are shim kits available (Moroso P/N 26140 is one example) that go between the drive gear and the bottom of the distributor housing to take out the play.  Simply remove the roll pin holding the gear on the shaft, shim as needed, and reinstall the gear.