Technical Distributor shims

[JonPiz]

Hi, I wondered where I can get some shims for my distributor. Its one of the later units (lost spark) on my 650 engine.

 

[the hobbler]

Hi, I wondered where I can get some shims for my distributor. Its one of the later units (lost spark) on my 650 engine.

What 'shims' are you needing? As far as I am aware, none of the 500/126 distributors ever required shimming (but I am quite happy to be proved wrong). Is it the 'Nannoplex' ignition system that you have?

 

[fiat500]

These maybe?

What 'shims' are you needing? As far as I am aware, none of the 500/126 distributors ever required shimming (but I am quite happy to be proved wrong). Is it the 'Nannoplex' ignition system that you have?

Be happy.
These maybe?

 

[JonPiz]

These maybe?



Be happy.
These maybe?

View attachment 427137





View attachment 427138

Thats exactly what I mean

 

[fiat500]

I've needed shim washers for other purposes before now. As long as you know the inner and outer diameter you can get them in sized packs from eBay.

 

[the hobbler]

Thats exactly what I mean

I stand better educated! I have never had to TOTALLY strip a distributor, so have never had to try and find these shims. Why do you require them? You may have to make them yourself out of some very thin steel

 

[Toshi 975]

I rebuilt a number of distributors last year just to make sure they were good to go. There is supposed to be a thin thrust type washer inside the distributors against the body which forms a bit of a seal. Of the seven I worked on only one still had a viable thrust washer, most had worn away completely, so I ended up making some from a thin sheet of Tufnol which eliminated the end play.

 

[JonPiz]

It’s this end play that concerns me. I have the one inside the body but even with the others circled there is a gap. I’m not sure what gap is acceptable

 

[fiat500]

It’s this end play that concerns me. I have the one inside the body but even with the others circled there is a gap. I’m not sure what gap is acceptable

I can't give you an official measurement, but I would say that something like 0.10mm, or a just discernible amount of play is enough. I had a 123 electronic distributor that was badly assembled sufficient that the rotor arm moved up and down and made contact with the inside of the distributor-cap.
I shimmed it until it was tight and then removed one shim.

 

[JonPiz]

I can't give you an official measurement, but I would say that something like 0.10mm, or a just discernible amount of play is enough. I had a 123 electronic distributor that was badly assembled sufficient that the rotor arm moved up and down and made contact with the inside of the distributor-cap.
I shimmed it until it was tight and then removed one shim.

Thank you, Ive found some on Ebay