87 BlUEROC

Had the local speed shop putting in my new injectors and some other adjustements, when I go to pick up the car today he tells me that I am getting oil in my distributor. He tells me that he worked at a Chevy dealership for 20+ years and that GM had to redesign (put grooves) in the dist. post so the oil wouldn't run up into it. I have an 87 IROC Z TPI 5.7 350. Could this be true? If so, did they put a recall out? Please let me know before I dump more money into this guys pockets! Thanks.

wako29

never heard of it......

also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the distributor shaft was solid? It was just turned by the motor, with no holes in the bottom going up to the distributor or anything.

87 BlUEROC

It is solid, but he claims since there are no grooves in it, that the oil can travel up the shaft and get through, but with grooves it deflects the oil down. Either way, the car isn't starting to well, and I seen the oil in the distr. Just trying to know what I am getting into.

HaroGt14

I think im gonna have to agree with wako29 by saying that the distributor shaft is solid. I can't remember but last time I had my distributor out it was solid. The only way I can see oil getting into the distributor is by the gasket that sits between the bottom of the distributo and the intake.

Just say screw it and get an MSD Pro Billet!

Sean

86'Bowtie

:rockon:

If you've seen oil in it already, it may need replacement,
although I'm still kinda dumbfounded on how this occured.
Yes they are solid, point across, I'd look into further before believing Mr.Goodwrench there. DUECE

884+3

Yes. this is a fairly common problem on third gens. Theres a rubber seal at the top of the shaft. Lcal parts stores should have remanufactured distributor assm. My local gm dealer stocks new parts to commpletely rebuild a distributor. Just pick up a new housing with seal and have your mechanic fix it.

87 BlUEROC

Thanks guys for all the replies, I'm taking your advice and going with the MSD set up. I have done a lot of Mods to the car over the years, but haven't messed with the ignition system too much.

The rod is solid, and after I calmed down and thought about it, I thought it would have to be a seal. But he showed me some with a groove winding around the rod and some that were smooth, thought he was full of BS at first.

It wasn't like he had anything to gain, I'm not buying any parts off of him, and I am not paying for him to put in the new distr. so I thought he was just trying to help me out. (Or he broke my distr. when he was doing the other stuff!)

Guess it is about time to upgrade the system anyways, again thanks for the responses!

Pat Hall

iTrader: (31)

884+3 nailed the problem on the head. I used to work for a garage and the head mechanic told me the same thing about the rubber seal going bad. He said it's fairly common and the best way to fix it is to pick up a reman distributor, or if you want to upgrade, go for it and get an MSD!

FastBack

are you gonna go with the pro billit? i would...hehe

87 BlUEROC

Finally talked the ol' lady into letting me get the MSD set up with the pro billet, ignition 6A, and blaster coil. This should solve my problems for a while. I figure since I have new heads, cam, and lot more this would work better in the long run. Thanks for all the advice, after doing some research I figured this would be the best way to go. Just tired of pouring all my money into this car!

BANDITSBC

HEY, YOUR TECH WAS WRIGHT!!!

i just had mine out of my 90, a tech i work with told me about it and he's right my dads 87 distributer did not have the grooves in it to reduce oil from getting into the pickup coil, my 90 did, i think 90 may have been the first year but i could be wrong on that. it wasn't my pickup coil anyways.

later