Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

Syclone #1721

I LOVE 4UM SUPERSTARS
I am in the middle of doing my intake gasket and since my distributor looked a little ratty, figure Id rebuild it. I did a step by step on it since I didnt see one done on here already. I hope this will help others. Its an easy and inexpensive way to make you truck run better without spending a ton of money on an aftermarket one. Here goes:

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Ok, here is a typical picture of what most of our distributors will look like once pull out of the engine.
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First, lay the distributor flat on the part below the gear allowing the roll pin to not be blocked. Then using the appropriate roll pin punch, drive out the pin.
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Ok, once the pin is out slide the gear off, the shim and the tabed washer and put aside.
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Next, slide the magnet/shaft assembly out of the distributor housing. Most you will find will be rusty like this.
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Now, pull the locking clip from the center of the distributor. I use a hook for this. Be patient.
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Once the clip is off, remove the copper shield.
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Now unplug the pickup coil from the module and slide it out of the reluctor.
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Next, remove the module by taking out the two bolts with a 5.5mm socket. At this point, the distributor is mostly disassembled. You can inspect the reluctor cage and if damaged, you can replace it. Mine was fine so I stopped here. You should also check the magnet. These like to crack. If cracked, replace the magnet and shaft assembly. Also inspect the shaft in the housing for play. Excessive play and you will need to replace the housing. Now comes the cleanng stage. For this, I used my glass beading booth. I realize most people dont have access to a glass beader but a wire wheel will work just fine. After youre done, spray with brake cleaner and blow off with compressed air.
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Well finally, your work is paying off. This is what your ready to assemble project should look like.
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Here is my magnet assembly. I was able to glass bead this as well. If its not cracked, you can wire wheel it and reuse it.
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As part of a good rebuild, definitely install a fresh ignition module. Dont forget the white heat sink grease on the underside.
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Now slip in the new pickup coil and new copper shield. Use some dielectric grease on the electrical connection to the module.
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With your pickup coil, a new clip will be included. Stand the distributor up on a solid surface and use a 15mm socket to gently tap the clip into place. Install the clip with the teeth facing up.
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Now use some assembly lube on the shaft and slide it back ito the housing.
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Now install the tabbed washer with the tabs facing the housing, the shim and a new distributor gear. Drive in a new roll pin and YOURE DONE.
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If youve done everything correctly, the end product should look like this. A nicely refreshed and best of all reliable distributor. Top it off with a good quality rotor and brass terminal cap and youre done. Hope this helps some of you. :tup:
 
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msheller

New member
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

Sy#1721,

I'm sure i won't be the last to thank you for your efforts on this. BTW, what's the dielectric grease for under the module? and my magnet has big pieces missing...that must be bad right???(mine runs like ass all of a sudden BTW

Matt
 

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

That is sweet. Due to lack of shop space I just replaced mine but if you've got the time that's a neat project. One thing I might add, which I've seen here someplace, is to shim the shaft to minimum "free play" up and down. Helps to avoid minor variations is timing. No idea how much difference it makes but I'd bet it could be figured out from the amount of actual free play, drive tooth angle, etc.

Now if I just had an old Sun distributor machine to spin it with... Oh well.

Nice job...
 

Syclone #1721

I LOVE 4UM SUPERSTARS
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

msheller said:
Sy#1721,

I'm sure i won't be the last to thank you for your efforts on this. BTW, what's the dielectric grease for under the module? and my magnet has big pieces missing...that must be bad right???(mine runs like ass all of a sudden BTW

Matt

Actually, that should say white heat sink grease. Ive corrected it. One too many beers plus its late :rotf: ...anyway, the grease hleps carry heat away from the module. make it live longer.
 

Loeryder

New member
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

very nice write up!

I am in need of this and just been kind of intimidated to attempt it myself.
this is exactly what I need to get it kicked off.

Do you by chance have a parts list / part#s for any NEW parts you replaced?
 

Flyin Ryan

hated cuz he drives fords
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

great write up man

I too have been needing to do this but was intimidated by what may have been involved but doesn't look too bad.. now all I have to do is figure out the proper steps of removing/reinstalling the dist into the motor then setting timing :)
 

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

Flyin Ryan said:
.. now all I have to do is figure out the proper steps of removing/reinstalling the dist into the motor then setting timing :)

(Optional) Bring eng to a timing mark. Or better yet with cap off bring eng to where the rotating and stationary "points' of the magnet assembly are exactly aligned. Note, or take a picture, of dist and rotor orientation/location. Remove, rebuild and replace dist in, as close as you can, to the exact spot it came from. Aligning those "points" from the beginning. Vitally important that the rotor end up where it was in the beginning. Make sure dist drops down on oil pump drive and make double sure dist hold down is actually up on the dist. Snug but don't fully tighten hold down, set timing, tighten hold down and double check timing. Set timing with brown wire, under dash, pas side, disconnected. When finished, with eng off, reconnect tan wire. I've been told that you do not have to reset the ECM when you do this. HTH

Thanks to DaveP: There is a 'dimple' on the dist gear. Install the gear with this dimple and the rotor tip aligned, for 'factory' orientation.

I'd like to think the above qualifies as an addendum and not a hijack to a great post. :roll: Otherwise feel free to delete, no offence will be taken.
 

Syclone #1721

I LOVE 4UM SUPERSTARS
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

DaveP6999 said:
Nice how-to. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I have an observation, and one curiosity question.

I notice in the pic of the shaft where you're holding it, there is a prominent crack in the magnet radiating from a rivet. There was discussion a while back that felt these cracks may contribute to 'rough idle'. Personally, I have no idea. Has anyone seen any 'official' info on how to deal with these magnet cracks? (Replace the shaft, or ignore them)?

Curious: The date on the module is 0M11 which is December 11, 1990, or 2000. If it is the original, it has lasted a long time. (Most do). I want to know about the yellow dot. Do you know if this is the original module? It looks like it could be.

Good work :tup:
Dave

Well ill let you in on a little secret. I wanted to do this the most cost effective way becasue I dont plan on running the stock engine for long and it will be coming apart again soon. I figured Id dump more money into the rebuild all at one time so for now, yes you are seeing these right. I didnt want to lead people in the wrong direction for the write up so I just refered to these parts as being new and/or no need to replaced. Yes techically I could use a new magnet/shaft assembly and the module is the same one. If the magnet was missing chunks, I would have replaced it now but a few cracks in my opinion should be ok for the time until I tear this down again. Everything on m y truck is 100% original so Im willing to bet this is the original module. I hope our post doesnt confuse or lead people the wrong way. Sharp eye, Dave :tup:
 

Syclone #1721

I LOVE 4UM SUPERSTARS
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

Loeryder said:
very nice write up!

I am in need of this and just been kind of intimidated to attempt it myself.
this is exactly what I need to get it kicked off.

Do you by chance have a parts list / part#s for any NEW parts you replaced?

I will add a list of Part numbers and manufacturers for all parts that could be replaced shortly. I had no idea this would bring this much interest. Hell, Ill do one every time I do something if it helps some people out with their own projects.
 

Syclone #1721

I LOVE 4UM SUPERSTARS
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

Flyin Ryan said:
great write up man

I too have been needing to do this but was intimidated by what may have been involved but doesn't look too bad.. now all I have to do is figure out the proper steps of removing/reinstalling the dist into the motor then setting timing :)

Dude, Ryan, you live close...hell bring your truck and a couple of six packs of Lager and lll give you the live version of this.
 

Flyin Ryan

hated cuz he drives fords
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

Syclone #1721 said:
Dude, Ryan, you live close...hell bring your truck and a couple of six packs of Lager and lll give you the live version of this.

Sounds good man i'll bother you in a few weeks when I accumulate the parts/time :)
 

Flyin Ryan

hated cuz he drives fords
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

DaveP6999 said:
Then the "yellow dot" should be found on an original module in conjunction with a date that 'makes sense'. I felt that was the case, here. I've found the yellow dot on other factory-installed modules. Wonder what it means.............?

Regards

My stock 2 bar MAP had that yellow dot on it too
 

SY2932

Administrator
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

EXCELLENT write up :cool:! I vote for the vault
icon_smile.gif
!
 

Tooky

Serious about performance
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

This HowTo is flippin' BRILLIANT!! Bravo Mr. "Syclone #1721", on a JOB WELL DONE!!!
 

Syclone #1721

I LOVE 4UM SUPERSTARS
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

Tooky said:
This HowTo is flippin' BRILLIANT!! Bravo Mr. "Syclone #1721", on a JOB WELL DONE!!!

Thanks bro....nice site by the way....you did a great job. If you ever need any help with pictures or technical stuff, let me know.

Joey
 

jbone

Member
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

I 2nd the vault !!! Thanks for the write up. This is something I should probably get done soon. A parts list/#'s would be awesome. Thanks again :tup:
 

Syclone #1721

I LOVE 4UM SUPERSTARS
Re: Rebuilding a SYTY distributor how-to....

Ok, got a couple of requests for a parts list for this build so here it is:
All Parts are AC Delco numbers. The prices are from Rockauto.com. You may be able to find equivalents for cheaper but you should be able to cross reference these part numbers to other vendors part numbers.

Ignition Module #D1943A $56.00
Copper Pickup Coil SHield #10496783 $4.42
Pickup Coil #D1987 $13.36
Shaft/Magnet Assm. #10495798 $76.89
Drive Gear #19052845 $36.79
Reluctor Cage #10495802 $10.84

I trying to see if I can locate the magnet assembly wothout the shaft to keep the cost down. If anyone has a part number for just the magnet, fele free to add it.
 
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jaystcb

Sy 0902, 92Ty 0909
Time to resurrect this old post. I’m getting ready to redo my distributor and wanted to add some information on the rebuild.
Before you remove the gear from the shaft. Look at the gear. You will notice that the pin is aligned to the gear on one side but not the other. the gear can be put on 180 deg off. It might only affect the timing a little bit but it’s worth the added minute to mark the gear to the shaft, or at least note what side of the gear lines up to the rotor.
 
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