Replacing Dist. Seal on QV | FerrariChat

Replacing Dist. Seal on QV

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by 308GTS, Jan 13, 2004.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. 308GTS

    308GTS Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2001
    2,223
    TN
    #1 308GTS, Jan 13, 2004
    What needs to come off to replace it on the front bank. What is the best way to get the seal on there without damaging it? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
     
  2. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
    7,017
    Groton, MA
    Full Name:
    Verell Boaen
    #2 Verell, Jan 13, 2004
    Remove the distributor,
    then remove the triangular plate the distributor mounts to. The seal mounts in that plate.

    Use a seal driver or appropriate sized socket to push the old seal out.

    Clean up the seal mounting area, then put a very small smear of Loctite 515 or 518 anaerobic sealant around the perimeter of the seal mounting hole in the plate. Loctite also sells these under the permatex label, most parts stores will have them. They're made for this application.

    Do not Under any circumstances get any kind of sealant on the seal's inner lips, or it won't...

    Measure the end of the camshaft & find a deep socket that's the same diameter or a teeny bit larger. Lube the camshaft end, inside of the seal, & the socket with oil. Slip the socket thru the seal, with the open end towards the plate's mounting side. Make very sure that the seal doesn't have a lip turned under, and that the little spring stays inside the seal. (The seal's spring popping out during installation is the most common cause of distributor seal leaks.)

    The camshaft tip has a shallow groove in it that the seal has to slip past w/o perturbing the spring or turning a lip under. Gently twisting will get you past this obstacle.

    Install the gasket on the end of the head/cam cover, with a very thin smear of the sealant for a dressing on both sides.

    Slip the socket up snug against the end of the camshaft & hold it there while you slide the plate & seal off of the socket & onto the camshaft with a gentle twisting motion. Once the plate is in position, bolt it down & re-install the distributor.

    Somewhere in the old ferrarichat Tech Q&A archives there's a thread with a bit more detail, & a pix or 2, but I think this gives the concept.
     

Share This Page