Distributor shaft popping out

[barefootwestie]

After doing an engine cleanup over the past several years, I've put my distributor back in and she fired up. Timing not perfect but thats ok.

The problem is after shutting it off and somewhat of a celebration, tried to crank again and wouldn't start. After troubleshooting, the rotor is turning freely and not engaged with the gear. The distributor is seat as far down as it will go and the holder is tight.

Any ideas what I may be overlooking? Never had an issue with the distributor doing that before.
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My Bus Restoration Blog
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1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[wcfvw69]

Check the distributor hold down clamp. Is it twisted and not 'holding' the distributor where you can't spin it?

The cheap Chinese distributor clamps are famous for this.
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[SGKent]

[barefootwestie]

[Wildthings]

The dog on the bottom of the distributor shaft may kind of grab when the shaft is 180° out. Turn the rotor a full 180° and see if the dog will lock into the slot?

If the thrust washers that fit between the dog gear and housing are missing the dog gear can ride higher than it should increasing the chance that it will not stay in the slot.

[wcfvw69]

[hazetguy]

it's a type 4 engine. didn't know there were cheap chinese type 4 clamps being made.
deja vu kinda sorta all over again? https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=686566
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hazetguy: invested?
thebucket: Yeah Haze, its where people put money into a company in hopes of a return on their money

[barefootwestie]

Yeah. Mine has the big 10mm hex to tighten it
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[hazetguy]

can you post a pic from above showing your distributor installed? perhaps is it not truly seated even though you think it is. like the vac can is hitting the case, etc
_________________
thebucket: I invested in hoodride, now DBD won't return my call?
hazetguy: invested?
thebucket: Yeah Haze, its where people put money into a company in hopes of a return on their money

[barefootwestie]

Thanks for the other link.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[Wildthings]

Loosen the clamp, rotate the rotor while pressing down firmly until you you feel the shafts align, the dizzy should noticeable drop a bit as you do this. Twist the dizzy body down as far as it will go and lightly snug the clamp. Time engine and tighten clamp.

[barefootwestie]

I'll try it again. Gotta pull the plug again to find tdc. Third time's a charm... Hopefully.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[Tcash]

If you removed the distributor drive gear? Make sure you put the washer back under it.
thnx jesey
#10

[barefootwestie]

Didn't remove the gear.

After thinking about overnight, I should have clarified. I don't think the actual distributor is popping out. Seems like it's more the shaft from the gear. The rotor is still attached properly but the shaft spins freely. When I put in both times so far, the shaft would only turn with the engine. Then would crank and it's like the shaft is disconnecting from the gear. There doesn't seem to be a lot of play in the distributor and again, everything was working properly prior to me removing it.

Maybe I'm not pressing the distributor shaft in hard enough. Is it like a socket and ratchet fitting somewhat?

Thanks for all your help. Hope to look at again tonight or. This weekend.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[mikedjames]

Take a good look at the distributor clamp. If you tighten it too much it will buckle and lift the distributor body away from the block. Even if made in Germany.
If its made in china then it may begin its life this way - my EMPI needed the fixing tang straightened up so when it was bolted down the clamp was actually flat to the block.
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1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.

1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
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[furgo]

[barefootwestie]

I don't want to get over sentimental or anything, but I sure do appreciate you guys. I haven't been on very much the past 2 years as I just haven't had time for working on the bus because of life and focusing on the wife and kids, but then I just show up, and you guys are always there.

Really glad this forum hasn't died away due to people's attitudes.
_________________
My Bus Restoration Blog
https://myvolkswagenbus.com/

1973 Westfalia
"Getting better....one repair at a time."

Other VW's owned through the years, in no particular order:
'67 Beetle,
'67 Ghia Hardtop,
'72 Ghia Convertible,
'72 Westfalia

[tasb]

The only two distributors that I am aware of that are being reproduced are the 0 231 178 009 and the 0 231 170 034 (VW# 043 905 205). it's unlikely any of the Bosch DVDA will be reproduced. I am aware of some efforts to reproduce the 0 231 129 010 and 019 in cast iron which should be interesting. I get this question all the time with a customer concerned that their 113 905 205 T is a German Bosch unit.
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Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[tasb]

Sometimes even on original clamps that have been over tightened the clamp stays flat but the 10 mm od bolt starts to bend making proper tightening impossible which results in more tightening/ bending required...
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[tasb]

Sometimes even on original clamps that have been over tightened the clamp stays flat but the 10 mm od bolt starts to bend making proper tightening impossible which results in more tightening/ bending required. this is the result:

_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse