Distributor Problem! HELP!

Lee ODell

I was checking the vacuum advance on my 47 Hudson Pu to see if it was working. Testing with a vacuum pump it holds vacuum, and I can see the vacuum advance arm trying to rotate the distributor to advance timing. However, the distributor will not rotate. I've tried penetrating oil around the distributor base where it goes into the engine. So far, no luck turning the distributor.



I can sure use some help with this problem. It's the first Hudson engine I have worked on. It seems to me the distributor is stuck in the engine block, and I don't want to do something that may ruin it.



Any suggestions will be appreciated. Lee

Unknown

The vacuum advance does not rotate the entire distributor, only the breaker plate inside.

Geoff

tristansdaz wrote:

The vacuum advance does not rotate the entire distributor, only the breaker plate inside.

That is for '48 models onwards. On the earlier splasher engines the vacuum advance operates on the locating flange, and moves the distributor.

[Deleted User]

Seems to me your best bet is to pull the distributor and examine it on the bench. There you can be careful and take a look and see what the problem is.

Lee ODell

51hornetA wrote:

Seems to me your best bet is to pull the distributor and examine it on the bench. There you can be careful and take a look and see what the problem is.

I may end up having to do that. I've been spraying penetating oil on it for awhile. Today, I gave it another try turning it. For the first time, there was slight movement. From Geoff's statement I had a better understanding about it. Similar to early Chevy distributor advance.



While I was at it I noticed one plug wire was out of the distributor cap. When I put it back on, it would not stay. Could not push it in far enough. Tried squeezing the wire end and still would not go in. Tried it in another hole, went in OK. Turns out the metal receptical inside the cap was mushroomed slightly preventing wire entry. Filed the wire end enough to slide wire into cap. Another problem solved. I've never seen that problem before. Probably never will again.



Thanks for all the responses. Lee



Tomorrow, have to change rear tires. Rotten sidewalls. Left rear flat.

[Deleted User]

Lee O'Dell wrote:

I was checking the vacuum advance on my 47 Hudson Pu to see if it was working. Testing with a vacuum pump it holds vacuum, and I can see the vacuum advance arm trying to rotate the distributor to advance timing. However, the distributor will not rotate. I've tried penetrating oil around the distributor base where it goes into the engine. So far, no luck turning the distributor.



I can sure use some help with this problem. It's the first Hudson engine I have worked on. It seems to me the distributor is stuck in the engine block, and I don't want to do something that may ruin it.



Any suggestions will be appreciated. Lee

Walt here; I have a newly rebuilt distributor for 41 to 47, complete with spark advance and cap. If interested, e-mail me, Walt mordenti

Lee ODell

Walt, sent email. Lee

Lee ODell

I'll be picking up a rebuilt distributor from Walt when we get together at the All California Meet at San Simeon, Sept 17 - 19, 2010.



Got the rear tires and wheels changed today. Removing the large Lt235/85R16 tires was difficult get off between the fender and rear end. They are 4 inches taller then the 15 inch tires I put on. Seem everything on this truck involves some glitch to fix. When I tried to put the 15 inch wheel on the RR drum it would not fit over the hub. Someone in the past had hammered and mushroomed the edge. Spent some time with a file to make the hub round again.



Next, time to get the new gas tank and fuel line installed. And rewire the truck. The old cloth insulation is falling off, fire hazard.



Lee