NYC993

Aren't bearings sealed with grease inside? What are we oiling with motor oil exactly? and why motor oil?

pp000830

My theory is that the seals on the bearings do not seal up well after 20 years.
I use motor oil because;

• that is what I have,
• it is heat resistant,
• it is the lubricant for the bushing shaft bearing at the base of the distributor and
• as a liquid it will flow downhill onto the bearings if present in the housing.
• It is also what everyone at one time used to lubricate the distributor when things were regularly opened up to replace or adjust points.

PiB993

Is this why I hear a momentary squeak (belt slip?) on start up if the car has been sitting for a few days?

How do you oil yours? While it is disassembled or in the car?

AOW162435

It's a toothed belt.




Andreas

nine9six

Peter,
Andreas is telling you to pick another belt for the squeal you hear. Most likely one of the Vbelts squealing. ; )

As far as lubing the distro shaft goes; I can't imagine a couple of drops of motor oil would last as a lubricant for the bearing, any longer than 15 mins., if even that long...Gravity being what it is.
Just my $.02

PiB993

Pictures would sure help. I thought someone also mentioned the alternator bearings as well. I am very unfamiliar with these engines. The distributor is gear driven going into the block on a TJ Jeep inline 6 I had a leak where it went into the block. We thought it could have been the dented oil pan, rms or any number of places but it was where the distributer went into the block to get driven by the crank I believe. Ran fine leaking a little.

Would you not just replace the bearings or distributor in it's entirety?

AZ Targa

pp000830

I doubt the squeak is from your distributor, most likely one of the regular belts. The distributor belt is a toothed belt and can't really slip unless it is broken.