distributor lubrication

[YellowS4DHC]

I'm rebuilding my 43D distributor and I'm curious what folks here recommend as a lubricant for the shaft and advance mechanism.

Rick


'72 Europa TC
'69 Elan S4 DHC
'67 S800 Coupe
'57 T1 Speedster

[billwill]

I merely use engine oil on the weights & springs and a dab of silicone grease on the points-cam.

[gearbox]

Dielectric grease so it doesn't effect the contacts should it spray up.

[nomad]

In a pinch I've never had any problem with plain old chassis grease if used very sparingly for the points cam. The main concern is that there is lube of some kind!

Kurt

26/3754

[ricarbo]

I've always used Vaseline on the cam and a little engine oil for the weights. Later Lucas distributors had a felt pad touching the cam, and I used a little engine oil on that. Best to use a dwell meter to set the points, rather than feeler gauges. If you set the points with a dwell meter on a badly worn distributor, you will find the gap is much less than the standard 15 thousandth of an inch. Setting the dwell controls the average current through the coil and I think that has a bearing on how hot it gets. My view is that if it gets too hot, it is more likely to fail.
regards
Richard

[YellowS4DHC]

My original question concerned the advance mechanism and shaft. I don't have points, so cam lubrication is not an issue.

I'm inclined to use a bit of wheel bearing grease for the shaft and either oil or a film of grease for the weights, which is apparently what had been used before.

thanks
Rick


'72 Europa TC
'69 Elan S4 DHC
'67 S800 Coupe
'57 T1 Speedster

[oldelanman]

My old Mini had a Lucas distributor and workshop manual says..........
"As they are assembled, the components of the automatic advance mechanism, the distributor shaft and the portion of the shaft on which the cam fits must be lubricated with thin, clean engine oil"

I know it's a different model distributor but I've always stuck to that advice for the Elan and add just a smear of grease on the cam lobes.

[YellowS4DHC]

My original question was intended to draw out comments that would help me better understand my distributor's design. I'll try to be more explicit:

My 43D has a machined hole in the neck of the distributor body, about an inch below the external o-ring that seals the distributor body where it mounts on the engine. I assume that this 1/8" hole in the body is to permit engine oil to enter, which is then carried upward via a spiral groove on the shaft (you can see the groove through the hole).

The spiral groove doesn't, however, go the full length of the shaft. So, what about the upper half of the shaft and the upper bushing? I can't see how oil migrates further upward unless it's under pressure. It also appears that the design of the housing precludes oil added from above (say, during routine maintenance) from getting to the upper portion of the shaft and upper bushing.

So, basically, I'm trying to understand how the upper bushing and shaft get lubricated. Any thoughts are appreciated.

(Sorry for the wordy post, I was trying to avoid this)

thanks
Rick


'72 Europa TC
'69 Elan S4 DHC
'67 S800 Coupe
'57 T1 Speedster

[el-saturn]

as far as i remember its a tiny shot in 2 spots (of regular oil 20-50) every 3000 miles according to YOUR
workshop manual - i use a super sticky grease on the cam-shaft" - its a regular 41859? original restored

[robertverhey]

Didn't there used to be a little felt pad in the top of the shaft into which light machine oil needs to be put periodically? Never did understand where it went though

As an aside, this is what happens if you don't lubricate the cam. I kept it to remind myself never to be so stupid again. It gave up the ghost on a very dark night in the middle of nowhere, with trucks hurtling past

[el-saturn]

.........that?s what i was also looking at: I had one of those old ones with an almost perfect contact and the felt would have taken soem more oil - BUT there?s two difflerent axles dia.-wise - so the felt type "don?t" fit - i?m using super sticky grease right now ------ or since 1500 miles sandy johnson s3/se dhc brg