Engine Prestolite Distribuitor ID - gear change
mexsudo
Jeeper
- Posts
- 21
- Thanks
- 8
- Location
- Ensenada, BC, Mexico
- Vehicle(s)
- 1975 CJ5, 304, 3 speed
1995 YJ, 2.5 four , five speed manual
Prestolite Distribuitor ID ...
1975 CJ5 , AMC 304 V8 ... purchased a few months ago, from the granddaughter of the owner, so no history available.
I wanted to replace the cap and rotor, went to the local auto parts stores, no luck.
I did find replacements, but the Dist I have has a larger diameter body --- clearly a Prestolite considering the wiring and module.
black one in the photos is the "correct" cap, it was returned.
I continued looking, no luck finding a replacement ... so I decided to change to a Duraspark
It has been ordered together with the appropriate coil and module. I will receive it next week.
===
now for the bigger question:
I have been told that I should replace the drive gear on the new one with the drive gear from the old one.
In this case it seems obvious (to my ignorant mind) that the existing large body Prestolite is not OEM.
when I pull the existing Dist, assuming I can see that the gear looks like it has been running correctly, that makes sense. Maybe the PO did it "the right way" and it's the OEM gear that fits the cam gear correctly.
so, what tell-tail things should I look for?
PS: the water pump and timing cover (with a new oil pump) will be changed by my mechanic ... also next week.
can I learn something by looking over his shoulder?
PPS: I will do the dist swap myself... have not decided if I will have the pump and cover replaced first or not.
sorry this is disjointed, I'm getting old
1975 CJ5 , AMC 304 V8 ... purchased a few months ago, from the granddaughter of the owner, so no history available.
I wanted to replace the cap and rotor, went to the local auto parts stores, no luck.
I did find replacements, but the Dist I have has a larger diameter body --- clearly a Prestolite considering the wiring and module.
black one in the photos is the "correct" cap, it was returned.
I continued looking, no luck finding a replacement ... so I decided to change to a Duraspark
It has been ordered together with the appropriate coil and module. I will receive it next week.
===
now for the bigger question:
I have been told that I should replace the drive gear on the new one with the drive gear from the old one.
In this case it seems obvious (to my ignorant mind) that the existing large body Prestolite is not OEM.
when I pull the existing Dist, assuming I can see that the gear looks like it has been running correctly, that makes sense. Maybe the PO did it "the right way" and it's the OEM gear that fits the cam gear correctly.
so, what tell-tail things should I look for?
PS: the water pump and timing cover (with a new oil pump) will be changed by my mechanic ... also next week.
can I learn something by looking over his shoulder?
PPS: I will do the dist swap myself... have not decided if I will have the pump and cover replaced first or not.
sorry this is disjointed, I'm getting old
