Sheared Distributor Gear Pin

[jbk427]

Well, looks like I broke ol Blue yet again. My distributor gear roll pin was sheared off when I got it out. Does anyone know how/what an upgraded repair would be? Never had this happen before. I figure a new roll pin and gear would be in order.

[fastoleman]

Just wounding..What oil pump ya using?

[stangster50]

makes me wonder if something stopped the oil pump... how fast were you winding?

[Silver91Hatch]

My dad's 2.8 Bronco II did this 3-4 times. Come to find out the gear had been moving back and forth on the shaft and made it smaller in the one spot causing the roll pin to take the full force of the oil pump. What we did to fix it is used a knurling tool and knurled the shaft, pressed the gear back on(like it should be) and installed a hardened roll pin and haven't had an issue since.

[jbk427]

its a melling high volume pump with arp driveshaft. I raced a lil ricer yesterday (america won by the way), and afterward i lost my timing. Then, stopped at a gas station for some race water, and adjusted my distributor back up, all though it hadnt physically moved. This get my hungover wheels turning slowly. On the way back, I got close to home and really kicked the crap out of it and that was the last straw. It was over after that. The car was warm so the oil was thin. The gear looked like it had been worn in an oval. That makes me think it was on the way out already. Im more worried bout the ends of the roll pin thats missing! Lots of money in that lil stroker to have a 5 cent roll pin stop up the oil pickup. Hope that drain plug magnets working!

[stangster50]

would definitely get the junk out of the bottom end.. mabe pull the pump and check it out also.

[NC STANG GUY]

Lots of money in that lil stroker to have a 5 cent roll pin stop up the oil pickup. Hope that drain plug magnets working!

One time I had a........ as in ONE needle bearing from a rocker that has messed up 2 YEARS prior lock up a oil pump. Had cleaned out the oil pan when the rocker broke,checked the pickup screen and ran it for a long time.

When we took the engine apart you could see where the needle bearing had been "shot peening" the undersides of the pistons and here and there on the rods,etc for a long long time before it decided to take up residence between the oil pump gears. Where it was hiding when we had the pan off nobody knows.

[fastoleman]

On the roll pin..More than likely if any of it is left it is in the front sump.Remove the front plug and go fishing with a magnet.I would replace the gear if it has ANY wear.Something i want to know-Aftermarket pan? Why a H/V pump? Reason i ask is i have only used one H/V pump in my 20+ years of building and had nothing but trouble.Then maybe it was me and not the pump...lol

[htrdmstng]

Had the same problem. Upgraded to a heavy duty stainless coiled roll pin from McMaster Carr. Problem solved. I have extras can drop some it the mail if you like.

[LKN Speed]

The HV pump puts a TON more stress on the gear and that little rollpin.
Another thing to think about...what weight oil are you running? Its a lot colder out there right now, and even though your oil was warm, it wouldnt be nearly as warm (or thin) as it is in the warmer months.....
Ive seen oil related issues pop up more than once when the seasons change.

[jbk427]

I run 5w30 in a 7 qt hamburger pan. The HV pump is one of those, "well why not" purchases, seemed like more would be better at the time. (3 years ago, younger and dumber). I ordered a bronze one with a new pin from holcomb motorsports. I went ahead with the bronze in case of further cam swaps or what not.

[LKN Speed]

dang...5w30 shouldnt be a problem. Might just have been 'one of those things' that happen to all of us once in awhile.
make sure that dist. gear fits tight on the shaft and try a new pin, like these other fellas are saying.
Check that bronze gear real good while its out.....they dont tend to be a 'long life' item.

['80CapriRS]

I had the same thing happen a few years ago--turns out something went very wrong in the stock distributor--roll pin breaking saved some other parts. I upgraded to a MSD Pro-Billet unit and never looked back, she turns much smoother with those ball bearings rather than bronze bushings, or course there are LOTS of those bronze bushings out there still doing their job.