93 distributor gear

oneford · #1 09-13-2009, 10:41 AM

hi i have 93 ranger with a V6 3.o . The distributor gear keeps wearing the teeth off did this to the one that came in truck had it replaced with a rebuilt one this lasted about 4-5 weeks then i replaced it with a junk yard one same ithing about 4-5 weeks . while pulling these at junk yard found 2 others with worn teeth ......is this common? please help thanks jim

02'4.04x4 · #2 09-13-2009, 04:31 PM

Hmmm, this should not be happening. Either the shaft alignment is off or some something is causing the distributor shaft to drag. Look into it a little and check that the shaft when installed is not bound. Also inspect the shaft for unusual wear, i.e. rings worn down in it.

It could be a factory issue, but seeings how it is on a 93 I would say that it is possible that a milled spot is worn out of spec with age.

Depending on the positioning, I would say that it is possible that the cam bushings have worn allowing/causing excess tension on the gear.

oneford · #3 09-13-2009, 05:48 PM

hey thanks for the fast reply.....i dont see any worn spots on the shaft.and i cant see the teeth on the cam but they feel ok? the distributor seems to be "seated" right. That was my first thought that teeth where not meshing right. the teeth all seem to wear at the same rate..all worn full lenght of tooth down to razer sharp then they shear off when too thin. I think you maybe right about the cam bushings it looks like something is "floating" to wear them. Wasnt sure how to check the binding issue cant turn the distributor when its installed. was hope"n to avoid a tear down.....but thats life. thanks

Clem · #4 09-13-2009, 08:11 PM

In the old days of the Bowtie small blocks, we ran brass or bronze gears on the distributors, when we saw brass in the oil during an oil change it was time to replace the cam bearings and flush the oil galleys in a hot tank.
The problem with the metal you have from the distributor gear is that you now have it every where in your engine.
I will not make any suggestions, you know what has to be done.
SORRY.

Ray

02'4.04x4 · #5 09-13-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneford

hey thanks for the fast reply.....i dont see any worn spots on the shaft.and i cant see the teeth on the cam but they feel ok? the distributor seems to be "seated" right. That was my first thought that teeth where not meshing right. the teeth all seem to wear at the same rate..all worn full lenght of tooth down to razer sharp then they shear off when too thin. I think you maybe right about the cam bushings it looks like something is "floating" to wear them. Wasnt sure how to check the binding issue cant turn the distributor when its installed. was hope"n to avoid a tear down.....but thats life. thanks

You "can" manually crank the motor, someone cranking, someone watching. . .
Also check the cam/s fore play "ha ha" to see if they can shift under torque. Have you had and wear issues or slipping of the timing belt? I am not familiar with the older Ford sprockets and do not know if the are shouldered.

I secend Clem's point but it is a good idea to know what the prob. is and get it fixed before you clean her up, to avoid a reoccurance.