M-37 timing keeps moving

[Channing]

My timing setting keeps changing. It's at idle. I set it go to clamp it and its already changed. when I do camp it down I can sit there with the timing light and watch it move around upwards of 10 deg.
Real strange if I rest my hand on top of the secured distributor it moves, I rock the dist a little the timing chages some more.

If the base is clamped down and the timing is floating up and down it must be the springs right? There is no vacume advance. Points cap and rotor are brand new and the key is in the rotor.

[Gordon Maney]

I am thinking there is something going on with the distributor. Either the breaker plate is moving around, or perhaps the distributor shaft is loose in its bushings or bore. Bent distributor shaft?

I am wondering if the movement is entirely regular, or if it is erratic.

[Channing]

Timing

Yes I found it the shaft is loose. throwing the points off then throwing the timing all over the place. And if you rock the distributor then it goes crazy. Has anyone rebuilt one of these. Rebuild kits??? Thanks

[Tom Petroff]

If VPW don't have them,
Try John Bizal Midwestmilitary.com
He has kits.
AB Linn 704-637-9076
He usually has bushings etc.

My favorite
Sid Beck 361-573-3276 e-mail g741@ccwip.net
He'll have what you need.
TGP

[Charles Talbert]

Distributor rebuilds

Yes I found it the shaft is loose. throwing the points off then throwing the timing all over the place. And if you rock the distributor then it goes crazy. Has anyone rebuilt one of these. Rebuild kits??? Thanks

We can build it for you, have built many. The unit will be completely renewed throughout, including all electronic ignition if you choose, (no more points to adjust or change out periodically.) When we are finished we test it thoroughly to be sure all is good, then return to you ready to install.

[Gordon Maney]

If VPW don't have them,
Try John Bizal Midwestmilitary.com
He has kits.
AB Linn 704-637-9076
He usually has bushings etc.

My favorite
Sid Beck 361-573-3276 e-mail g741@ccwip.net
He'll have what you need.
TGP

I did not realize rebuild kits were available. Thank you....

[Gordon Maney]

We can build it for you, have built many. The unit will be completely renewed throughout, including all electronic ignition if you choose, (no more points to adjust or change out periodically.) When we are finished we test it thoroughly to be sure all is good, then return to you ready to install.

Your electronic can either be 12 or 24 volt?

[Charles Talbert]

Your electronic can either be 12 or 24 volt?

The 24-volt is best suited in the military standard distributors used in the M37 engine. I can install a 12-volt all electronic unit in the military distributor, however the coil would have to be mounted remotely outside the distributor housing since there are no 12-volt coils of the correct design available to mount internally, or at least I have not seen any in a long while.

[mannyc]

john bizal

he might have 12v coils that fit the mseries dists. i recall he had some at one time. charles, might be good to call him and stock up for your rebuild biz. mannyc