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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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Funny Distributor Problem?

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8N Paul

07-15-2005 06:17:37




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Hello "N" Folks! I have a '48 8N with a front mount distributor. She's tired, but still does a good job. 2 weeks ago I had a problem where the rotor broke in the distributor cap. She just stopped dead. I replaced the rotor (and the cap) and went on mowing. The same thing just happened again! I searched the posts on this site, and I don't see anything that would apply, my front axle bushing isn't bad (I think that breaks the cap, anyway), and it's not like I have the wrong cap/rotor, since the tractor will start and run and do work for several hours. The rotor and the cap were pushed on all the way, and there is a dust shield under the rotor. The only other part of the story is that both times when this happened, I had bounced the front end off the ground a little right as it happened, because the bush hog is a little big for the tractor. Do y'all think the rotor breaking is because of wear in the distributor shaft? I checked and there is a small amount of up/down movement in the distributor shaft. It doesn't seem excessive. Is that enough to be the problem? Anybody had any experience like this before? Is it tough to replace the bushing/bearing in the distributor? Could it be anything else? Thanks in advance. Paul+

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don b

07-15-2005 14:00:10




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 Re: Funny Distributor Problem? in reply to 8N Paul, 07-15-2005 06:17:37  
While the frt. axle hitting the dist. will break the cap or usually number 2 nipple,I doubt this is your problem.Sounds like the bushings are bad or the clip that holds the shaft is loose or missing.The housing could also be cracked,which could have been caused by a worn king pin.I would pull the dist. and see what is wrong first.You should be able to figure out WHY after you check the dist. don b

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RoNofohio

07-15-2005 12:42:28




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 Re: Funny Distributor Problem? in reply to 8N Paul, 07-15-2005 06:17:37  
I think it is the kingpin also.I haven't had a problem with my whole dist. cap breaking, but replacing of the insert and shim on my king pin did fix a problem that I had with the #2 nipple breaking off. But I was watching my fan blades and noticed that when I revved the engine, the fan blades (of a forward blower) would seem to bend and spin precariously close to the distributer. I wondered if it would ever make contact. No problem yet and don't know if it will ever be one, but if your fan blades are the least bit mis-shappen, it could happen I suppose. JMHO...Ron

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Bob

07-15-2005 08:00:25




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 Re: Funny Distributor Problem? in reply to 8N Paul, 07-15-2005 06:17:37  
Examine the cap closely for signs of contact between the front axle and the cap, likely the bottom side of one of the lower "nipples".



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8N Paul

07-15-2005 08:33:35




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 Re: Funny Distributor Problem? in reply to Bob, 07-15-2005 08:00:25  
Bob- Thanks, but this has now happened on 2 different caps. The first cap had been on the tractor for years and worked fine. The new cap is a good one from NAPA. It has only done it when I bounced the front end hard. It seems like some thing is loose somewhere. I will take another look at the cap. Thanks-



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Jeb2N

07-15-2005 06:47:38




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 Re: Funny Distributor Problem? in reply to 8N Paul, 07-15-2005 06:17:37  
Still, generally anything involving the distributor cap/rotor breaking is related to front axle movement/pivoting. I really would replace the kingpin, kingpin bushing, and add the necessary spacers to keep that axle in it's place. There is an air gap between the rotor button and the points inside the distributor cap so a little movement should do anything as extreme as breaking a rotor button. Might cause funny running from too much/too little gap in certain spots, but not breakage. My advice would be to shim up that front axle.

Jeb

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8N Paul

07-15-2005 08:29:02




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 Re: Funny Distributor Problem? in reply to Jeb2N, 07-15-2005 06:47:38  
Jeb2N Thanks for the reply. I guess I don't fully understand the front axle kingpin problem thing. I imagine that my front end does have quite a bit of play, but what actually happens up there when there is wear enough to cause that stuff to break? What actually breaks what?? I will take your recommendations and go look at it tonight. Thank you. Paul+



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OH Boy

07-15-2005 09:35:52




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 Re: Funny Distributor Problem? in reply to 8N Paul, 07-15-2005 08:29:02  
What happens is as your kingpin and bushing wears, they allows the front axle to move/flex up and down further. Eventually the front axle can contact the distributor cap when you hit a big hole or go over a bump. That usually just breaks off the #1 spark plug nipple but in your case It sounds like it is moving the whole distributor cap. The rotor is turning inside that and when the cap moves just enough, the rotor catches on one of the contacts inside the cap and SNAP! goes your rotor.

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