AE82 4AC Distributor.What to look for?

[13BTTA22]

Hey,

My distributor is shot I think because under any sort of load it makes this rattling noise and I have been told that I need a new distributor.Toyota quoted me $500 for a new one.There are some second hand ones about but what should I look for when getting a secondhand one.Clearances etc?

Cheers Pete

[frostyadonis]

1. romove distributor cap
2. look for rusty coloured dust (signs of bush wear)
3. when removed from engine,check for shaft wear (try moving shaft side to side)
4. look for excessive oil inside cap area ( o ring wear )
5. dont cut any wiring at the wreckers to save time ( youll need it later )
6. spin/rotate shaft with your fingers, listening for squeaks (noisy ones are on the way out)
7. pray the replacement one isnt why its at the wreckers in the first place.

[frostyadonis]

also i forgot to mention,
the rattling sound is the centrifugal advance weights inside the distributor,
( common problem on the 4ac dizzy )
the springs holding the weights are probably broken or they have lost their tension.
itll keep going ok as long as the shaft bushes hold up.

[13BTTA22]

Thanks mate.May just get the new one and know it works for sure.

Cheers Pete

[AZA510]

there are many people on these forums that do conversions. you might be able to take their old distributor before they turf their old 4ac engine