HEI shaft lube ?

[blazer2007]

Just putting my HEI back together after a good clean up and was wondering if you put anything on the shaft when re-installing,just oil or does the shaft get lubed from the engine

[AussieinNC]

Yes, the shaft of the hei is lubed by engine oil...

I always put a smear of moly lube on the shaft as it goes into the hei body to prevent dry start situations.

[vince1]

If you are looking for shims Mopac has them; the closest store to you would be Langley.

[blazer2007]

Thanks bought a set of moroso shims and set at 25 thou

[68Gold/white]

The shaft DOES get lubed from engine oil "mist", BUT the top bushing has a well that needs grease in it. It's not bearing grease, but a type of light grease that will "wick" or flow through the holes on the inside of the grease well. The top of the well has a fragile thin plastic cover over it. THey are usually toast, if you are having to rebuild a distributor. A washer or plastic drain pan plug gasket can be made to work.

When re-assembling, I usually lube both bushings with motor oil, of course, packing the well with grease. I insert the dist shaft into the top bushing, and put a little grease iside the housing. The grease gets trapped in the housing for a while, helping lube the lower bushing for a while.

IF, IF anyone ever buys one of those import distributors, BEWARE that top grease well does NOT have any grease in it. THe top bushing has very little lube on it also...

[kwmech]

When going back together be sure to lineup the dot on the gear with the point of the rotor

[blazer2007]

Originally Posted by kwmech

When going back together be sure to lineup the dot on the gear with the point of the rotor

Thanks learned that one watching u tube but does the shaft and the pickup mechanism have to be a certain way. Looks like it lines up either way. Also bought a crane vacuum advance kit,any suggestions on spring combo is a 80 swb 1/2 ,stock L-48 350/350 with 342 gears ,intake a eddy 1406 carb

[kwmech]

Those can be either way

[vince1]

The gear will go on either way but if you put it with the mark lining up with the rotor then the distributor will probably sit more symmetrically with the engine., i.e. #1 and #8 perpendicular to the camshaft. It helps where HEI's are really close to the firewall. Odd number of teeth changes the distributor's position depending upon which way you install the gear.

[blazer2007]

Thanks for the help, started this just before the virus and stopped like everyone else and now I,m second guessing what I new back in March