Block off plates for the distributors

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Edit Profile

Author Message Steve Magnusson (91tr) Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 1128 Registered: 1-2001 Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 9:15 am:    Dan -- I'd at least do something temporary with some masonite, dense cardboard, etc.. As you said -- protection for the lip seal (and protection for the distributor drive coupling). If the lip seal weeps a little, it might help minimize the mess too. JMOs. Henry D. Chin (Hanknum) New member Username: Hanknum Post Number: 34 Registered: 2-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 12:53 am:    I don't see why not. Dan B. (Dan_the_man) New member Username: Dan_the_man Post Number: 27 Registered: 9-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 12:47 am:    Okay, this may sound funny, but if there is no oil leak issue from the cam plug, then the only other reason to have the plates is for looks.... right? Functionally They serve no purpose other than maybe keeping dirt from getting near the rear cam seal.... Tell me if you can think of any thing else? If this is the case, I may pull the distributors now and get the plates (or make them) at my leasure. Any thoughts? Robert Johnson (Carb308) New member Username: Carb308 Post Number: 20 Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 9:34 pm:    Norwood has the block off plates. Less than $30.00 ea. Can't find the phone number right now, but they have a web site. Jerry W. (Tork1966) Member Username: Tork1966 Post Number: 262 Registered: 7-2001 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 8:26 pm:    I have a '79 and mine had the cam plugs in place. Had no problems at all and it looks much cleaner under the hood. I bought the plate from Ferrari of Los Gatos (#108889). Cost was $62.47. Steve Magnusson (91tr) Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 1127 Registered: 1-2001 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 4:39 pm:    Dan -- Shouldn't be a problem -- the oil pressure "loads" the head of the plug (112547) into the distributor coupling (108005) and the plug is pierced by the pin that holds the distributor coupling to the cam. Dan B. (Dan_the_man) New member Username: Dan_the_man Post Number: 24 Registered: 9-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 4:05 pm:    If there is a cam plug there, should I worry about the oil pressure blowing the plug out over time? Steve Magnusson (91tr) Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 1126 Registered: 1-2001 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 2:46 pm:    The cam "plugs" were introduced in June '77 - Technical Information No. 321 (so Henry's '78 and Dan's '79 probably have them -- if the bottom of the female drive spline area in the distributor coupling is completely closed you've got them): If they "drip" a little you might need to remove/reinstall the plug into the distributor drive coupling with some sort of sealant (as the o-ring was/is the final intentional pressure seal), but most are probably liquid-tight as-is. Henry D. Chin (Hanknum) New member Username: Hanknum Post Number: 33 Registered: 2-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 1:36 pm:    Nope. I pulled the distributors and never saw any oil out the end of the cams. It has been over 5 years and still no oil. Possibly the PO plugged the cams. '75 308 GT4 (Peter) Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2091 Registered: 12-2000 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 1:25 pm:    Henry, you didn't plug the cams? There's full oil pressure in them to lube the bearings they ride on and to squirt oil at the cam lobes/shims/buckets. I suppose one could leave the old distributor drives on the cams to keep the seal, but then they need to be trimed, as they would stick out past the blanking plate.... Henry D. Chin (Hanknum) New member Username: Hanknum Post Number: 32 Registered: 2-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 12:55 pm:    I did the same thing about 5 years ago on my '78 GTS. I didn't have to plug the cams at all. I got a small sheet of aluminum, about 3/8 inch thick and had the general shape cut then did some fine tuning with my file. I'll see if I can find a pic Dan B. (Dan_the_man) New member Username: Dan_the_man Post Number: 22 Registered: 9-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 12:35 pm:    PS. 1979 308 gts. Dan B. (Dan_the_man) New member Username: Dan_the_man Post Number: 21 Registered: 9-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 12:35 pm:    I recently converted to DIS. I need two block off plates to go where my distributors are at now. Also, for those of you that have them, do I have to plug the gear input on the cam? I am not sure if the cam will allow oil to pass into the covered area. I am assuming not from the way it looks, but I want to know for sure. If this is not a problem then I can draw them up and have them made easily.