Distributor broke on 62 6cyl engine?

[s1b]

What would cause the shaft to break inside the engine on the ditributor? I'm looking at a car that has this problem. I don't want to buy the thing if people would think there is a major issue. Could it have just been worn ?

Orlando FLA

[Dick Steinkamp]

Check first to make sure it isn't the timing gear or camshaft that broke or that the cam and oil pump gears aren't stripped. Those will also result in the distributor not turning and are fairly major fixes.

I'd be surprised if the distributor shaft broke...there is really no force on the shaft that would break it...although anything is possible.

Is the distributor out of the engine so that you can see where the break is?

[laughinlark]

I agree with Dick. I have never seen a dist shaft break on a six. I'd pull the valve cover off and crank the engine to see if the rockers move? If not. I'd pull the timing gear cover and look at the gear.

Gordon

[bams50]

Sorry, I should have been clearer... of course, it does matter. I meant cost-wise- even if you had to rebuild the engine, you still wouldn't be very upside-down.

I'd have to believe it's more than just a broken distributor wrong; but not the end of the world. Good luck!


(out of time sequence)
Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

[bams50]

For what that will draw, it won't matter, even if it needs a new engine! If it wasn't in FL, or it was closer to my next trip there in Feb., I'd be all over it! Love those gorgeous bumpers![]

Here's the link, for those interested:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Studebaker-Lark-6-cyl-2-Door-Project-Car_W0QQitemZ260185943896QQihZ016QQcategoryZ6466QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

[s1b]

It wouldn't matter for me , but it's for my father.

Orlando FLA

[gordr]

I'd want to know how, and where the distributor shaft broke. The distributor shaft is pretty slender over most of its length, thickening up at the upper and lower ends.

If the distributor itself jammed because of some internal problem, I'd expect the shaft would be twisted off in the slender area, and there should be visible signs of twisting in the fragment that remains attached to the distributor. And the distributor should still be locked up.

If a connecting rod let go, I'd expect the distributor shaft to be badly bent before it broke, and it might have hammer marks on it, too. If the latter case is true, then obviously you need to rebuild or replace the engine.

If it appears the distributor itself simply locked up, due to lack of lube, or maybe due to a foreign object jamming the advance weights, it might be possible to recover the broken stub of the shaft with a magnet, and then simply install a good used distributor and go driving. Anyhow, if you get the car cheap enough, it scarcely matters.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands