Copper Nine Eight

When putting a distributor back together, do i have to lube the shaft with engine oil? I ask because when i disassembled it, there was oil on it.

Thanks guys

Tedd Thompson

I'm not sure of what engine/year we are talking about here but on most Oldsmobile's engines at the rear there is a oil galley plug that has a small hole that allows oil to lubricate the distributor gear . I think this is what you are seeing. If the engine hasn't been run for a long time or is just been rebuilt you need to lubricate that gear and shaft so it won't run dry till the oil pressure comes up..... Tedd

Fun71

Are you reassembling a distributor or merely inserting it back into the engine? For reassembly, the shaft should be lubricated with grease. For inserting into the block, do what Tedd said.

Copper Nine Eight

Reassembly. I had to replace the pickup coil.

Copper Nine Eight

ok great. Thanks Tedd!

Fun71

Be sure to clean out any hardened grease that may be in the housing where the shaft goes. Mine had quite a bit that I had to nearly chisel out.