Distributor shaft question

You should post a picture, because I'm not sure what you are talking about. But that won't stop me from answering your question
The basic layout is you have a hex shaped oil pump drive shaft about 8.5 inches long, it should have a retaining clip on one end. The end with the clip goes toward the distributor. The clip doesn't hold the shaft into the distributor or oil pump, it's there to prevent the shaft from lifting out of the oil pump and engine block and falling back into the oil pan when the distributor is removed. The shaft sits in the hex hole of the oil pump and then the pump is installed from the bottom of the engine. The distributor drops in from the top with the hex hole (in the bottom of the distributor) engaging the top of the oil pump drive shaft. The drive shaft "floats", nothing is "pressed" together.
If your oil pump shaft is out of the motor, but the oil pump is installed, then you must be missing the retaining clip. It will be very tricky trying to drop the hex shaft in from the top of the motor. If you miss the oil pump, (clunk) it will fall into the oil pan.
If I have guessed your situation, you could wrap a little tape around the hex shaft to make a friction fit into the bottom of the distributor, then lower whole assembly into the motor carefully and hope the other end of the hex shaft finds the oil pump instead of falling into the oil pan. Of course the "proper" way to do the job would be to remove the oil pan, remove the oil pump and place the shaft in the pump and reinstall everything. And use a shaft with a retainer so it doesn't come out with the distributor again.
You can see the retainer on the shaft in the attached photo.
Did I guess right?

Otherwise, this is what the bottom of the distributor should look like. If you don't have that hex hole, the bottom of the shaft has broken off, or you have the wrong distributor.

pro comp dizzys, have a 2 piece shaft, the lower has the hex and the cam gear on it, it is driven on a flat, is that the one you were thinking ?

See picture for question.

Gezz, I've got a 20 inch monitor but I can't read that postage stamp sized text you posted. Hmmm....no clues as to brand or application of the distributor and no photo either. I see you are determined to make this challenging No problem, I never let ignorance prevent me from speaking So here's my next guess. The roll pin holding the distributor gear has sheared and the gear has slipped down to the bottom of the shaft. This makes it look like the bottom of the shaft is missing. Give the gear a tap and it will slide back up the shaft. Replace the roll pin, problem solved!

I'm still unclear on what the intent of this post is???

HOW it is made seems unimportant, unless you are going to start a company making distributors.

Just WHAT is the problem, intent, or issue you have with that section of your distributor?

Larry

The MSD tech line will hook you right up... great guys, ready to help...

Does this help?

quote:

Does this help?

The photo is great.

I see a chipped gear tooth, I see the incorrect pins for gear retention, and I see what appears to be a good, crisp hex drive recess. I also see a machined shaft, and yes, the hex drive section does seem to be (maybe) a separate piece press-fitted into the shaft.

And I do not believe the shaft ends where you have noted, but is just a machined step-down.

But I assume (careful, I know) you have a problem you want us to comment on other than just how the thing is made?

Larry

Actually this picture is one I found on the net. I don't have a problem with my distributor. I am just using this picture for ref. I want to make my own offset distributor and I was wondering how the shaft was made. I want to be able to machine it if possible. So if it is 2 pieces it would be easier to machine. And if it is 2 pieces how would the 2 pieces be secured together is my question. I guess the other option is to just machine an existing shaft to fit my project.

PT-1 is asking how is the distributor main shaft MADE ? He is saying the SHAFT ENDS HERE ? In 2 places ?

The answer .. the shaft is one piece ...it doesnt end HERE it ends at the end .... it appears that way because of the way its machined .. its just stepped down ...the gear will slide up to that point looosely then its a press fit ...

Next question how do they cut the hex in the END OF THE SHAFT ... ? I dont have the answer for that one .... machinist's please help PT-1 and I out ?

This is what your asking PT-1 ?

Ron