Best grease for distributor shaft?

Tim Donahoe

I replaced my points about 400 miles ago (using Bosch) and am going on a trip, so I thought I'd check things out.

The dwell was 47 degrees after installing the points a while back. When I went to check them today, however, the points had obviously closed to show a dwell of 54 degrees.

I assume the rubbing block wore down, as the points screw was nice and tight.

What grease do you guys use on your distributor shaft and points rubbing block?

I was using black moly. But I'm thinking this was not a good choice now.

So what's the best grease for this application?

Tim

Randy in Maine · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 3:55 pm Post subject:

Bosch distributor grease is what I use.

gp98 · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 3:56 pm Post subject:

I use the grease that comes with points in small capsule.
I have used brake grease before also and had no bad side effects.
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Joey · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 4:34 pm Post subject:

I use Bosch distributor grease as well. It's thicker than wheel bearing grease so it stays put. Also, make sure the distributor shaft is nice and smooth.
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Glenn · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject:

Bosch distributor grease is made for the can.
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Tim Donahoe · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 4:44 pm Post subject:

Yes, the distributor shaft is smooth.

I just read about Bosch Grease, but I have to order it on-line, since no auto places carry it here. Wolfgang's here in town mentioned dielectric grease. I have some, but it's made by Permatex, and I don't care much for their stuff.

I'll just order the Bosch on line and regrease with that when I get back from the trip.

Thanks,

Tim

APPLEGREENVW · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 4:51 pm Post subject:

Which on-line vendors sell Bosch grease?
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Relyt · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 5:23 pm Post subject:

Glenn · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 5:37 pm Post subject:

Dielectric grease is not suitable.
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tasb · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 5:38 pm Post subject:

lol! It's not actually funny. Most auto parts counter folks don't even know what a distributor is and the above answer proves it..
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mouser98 · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 5:47 pm Post subject:

what's wrong with plain old white lithium grease?

Donnie strickland · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 6:08 pm Post subject:

Zylinderkopf · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 6:57 pm Post subject:

I haven't been able to buy the Bosch grease - don't think they make that stuff anymore - the usual suppliers are all out of stock. The question is: what is a good substitute? Wheel bearing grease ?
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Glenn · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 7:00 pm Post subject:

airschooled · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 7:13 pm Post subject:

CarQuest stores can order it IF you can convince the employee you will not stand for lithium substitute. The PN is on their website. Sorry I'm on my phone and can't check right now. PartsKlassic sells little tubs of it for a good price. Buy two and you'll be set forever, even when you lose one.
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Tim Donahoe · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 7:14 pm Post subject:

Well, I tried the Cip1 site that showed up when I Googled Bosch Distributor Grease. They had a small tube for under 12 bucks, but they are our of stock. I have a feeling, they will remain so.

I found a few other places with larger tubes for around $28.00. Geeze, I don't need a Glenn-size tube. He might go through a tube every few months, but I would take decades.

I had a bad experience with some non-Bosch points, where the spring actually broke in half--so I buy Bosch only, and the Bosch points I buy from Wolfgang's here in town don't have that little bit of distributor grease, anymore.

Donnie, I read an old thread on The Samba where someone else said that the points block would wear the first few hundred miles; then you adjust the points again, time the engine again--and you're good to go ... with the wear slowing down considerably. I wonder why that is? I mean, isn't the block the same material, throughout? Very strange.

I also found some Porsche 1/4 oz. pots for sale on-line for under $4.00; but are they really going to accept a credit card for so small an amount? And do I want to give my credit card number to some outfit I've never heard of?

For now, I'll see if the "primary-rider-block-wear-theory" is true, or not. When I get back from Bugorama, that will put about four hundred miles on the engine. I'll re-check and see it the wear stops. In the meantime, I'm going with the same Sta-Lub Black Moly (it's kind of thick), and see what happens.

Tim

airschooled · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 7:17 pm Post subject:

With the black moly they will wear, so your test won't hold water. Buy a few extra tubs and give them as gifts to friends or something. I lop a little bit into a Petrie dish when I show people how to adjust their valves and points. They're probably good for years too.
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Glenn · Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 7:28 pm Post subject:

Donnie strickland · Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 3:29 am Post subject:

My theory is that the rubbing block gets work-hardened (like, for instance, a camshaft or lifters) after a few hundred miles.

I understand the adherence to Bosch points, but lately I've had a set of Bosch points fail on me at 1000 miles due to a broken rubbing block. That's when I decided to try the Echlin points, with which I have been well pleased.
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andk5591 · Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 4:21 am Post subject:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Distributor-Grease-Bosch-G...mp;vxp=mtr

http://www.lufteknic.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Sc...gory_Code=

If you are in a bind, I can squirt some into a baggy and send it to you. Even with 6 VWs, my tube will outlast me. By the way - you wouldn't use this to grease speedo gears, would you? Almost looks like the same stuff......
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