Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all. The distributor on my 1996 535cc Classic allows oil to seep through from the timing chest, so the points are often compromised by an oil smear. The distributor is a later version with bearings but I suspect the points-side one is not sealed. Does anyone know the number of that bearing (yes, I know, if I had the bushed distributor, I could just replace the seal, P/N 150013).
Thanks
ChrisD

According to "H"s parts list, and my 2003 sixty5, there is a seal behind the points and bob weights in the bearing type dizzy. I replaced mine to stop the same leak, plus the gasket, because there was a weep there too. If the seal is good, there is really no need for sealed bearings, as they are lubed from the timing chest.

Why do we call it a distributor? It's a points housing and distributes nothing.

It's making a darned good job of distributing the oil about! 😉

Yep, as mentioned, simply change the oil seal. To take distributor things a little further, mine has always worked well, and never given any problems, bar one. This problem did not manifest itself until a couple of years of use. The engine developed an intermittent metallic clonk when idling. The problem was found after removing the alloy points cover and seeing that the distributor shaft had about 10mm end float! Removal of the timing cover and distributor gear allowed the shaft to pull right through the distributor. Upon inspection, nothing worn or broken, and nothing built in to the design to stop this happening. The only thing stopping the shaft from falling out was the alloy points cover, and once the shaft had worn the cover, the knocking started.

So what holds the shaft in situ?

the distributor shaft in the bearing model is held back by circlip(23) part nr 144482.





for the non bearing model you’ll need shim 92040, and stack them up to adjust the end float

Thanks for that info mauri. I have a washer taking up most of the play at the mo.Will get this part now.

Nettshubby - thanks for the advice; so it's a 2003 Sixty5 distributor!
I got it from a past importer to South Africa who didn't know its origin anymore. I'll get another of those seals.
Cheers