"Home-Brewed" Distributor Bushing Installation Tool

["Dart67"]

I needed to install a new distributor bushing in my 440/512 engine.

So, I "Home-Brewed" this tool to install the bushing.

It is made from a 1/2" x 10" carriage bolt. I put the bolt in my metal lathe and removed the square portion under the head. Then ground a flat on each side of the threaded end to hold the bolt with a wrench or vise grips while tightening the nut to install the bushing.

I had already installed the new bushing. This photo just shows how the bushing would be on the bolt for the installation.

I used a 1/2" flat washer and nut on the oil pump mounting. Just Tighten the nut until the bushing is fully seated and you are good to go.

 

[65 Dartman]

Would your “home-brewed” tool work for a small block or did you designed it to only work with a big block

 

[MoparLeo]

Do you also have the burnishing tool ?

 

[dano]

All this home brewing and no beer?

 

["Dart67"]

Would your “home-brewed” tool work for a small block or did you designed it to only work with a big block

Not sure.. But I have a small block torn down in the shop... I will check and see....

 

["Dart67"]

All this home brewing and no beer?

The "Home-Brewed" comes from the October 2006 MOPAR Action centerfold article on my car. The name came about because of my last name "Beer", the 6 Pack hood on the car, and the fact that I made/modified all of the EFI parts and pieces plus everything else on the car myself. Before any aftermarket parts for big block MOPARS

 

["Dart67"]

Would your “home-brewed” tool work for a small block or did you designed it to only work with a big block

It appears that it will work with the rear main cap removed or by using a collar or bushing on the bolt with the rear main cap installed.

 

["Dart67"]

Do you also have the burnishing tool ?

No.. For what purpose?

 

[RustyRatRod]

No.. For what purpose?

All the OEM bushings need burnishing after they are pressed in, because the press fit makes the hole smaller in the bushing and the intermediate shaft doesn't fit, without running the burnishing tool through it after installation. The aftermarket resolved that by making the bushing with a slightly oversized hole so that when it's pressed in, it is the correct diameter. If yours is a Durabond or other aftermarket bushing, it's likely the correct size.

 

["Dart67"]

All the OEM bushings need burnishing after they are pressed in, because the press fit makes the hole smaller in the bushing and the intermediate shaft doesn't fit, without running the burnishing tool through it after installation. The aftermarket resolved that by making the bushing with a slightly oversized hole so that when it's pressed in, it is the correct diameter. If yours is a Durabond or other aftermarket bushing, it's likely the correct size.

Thanks Rusty....

I have never in all my years replaced a distributor bushing. This is my first one.. I will have to got to the shop and see if the intermediate shaft fits and turns as it should.

 

[MOPAR4Me]

The "Home-Brewed" comes from the October 2006 MOPAR Action centerfold article on my car. The name came about because of my last name "Beer", the 6 Pack hood on the car, and the fact that I made/modified all of the EFI parts and pieces plus everything else on the car myself. Before any aftermarket parts for big block MOPARS

Hello Dart67, that article sound really cool. Is there some way for us to enjoy viewing/reading it?

Do you happen to have a link or other way of you sharing it here?

 

["Dart67"]

All the OEM bushings need burnishing after they are pressed in, because the press fit makes the hole smaller in the bushing and the intermediate shaft doesn't fit, without running the burnishing tool through it after installation. The aftermarket resolved that by making the bushing with a slightly oversized hole so that when it's pressed in, it is the correct diameter. If yours is a Durabond or other aftermarket bushing, it's likely the correct size.

Just went to the shop and tried the intermediate shaft... It fits and turns well...

Hello Dart67, that article sound really cool. Is there some way for us to enjoy viewing/reading it?

Do you happen to have a link or other way of you sharing it here?

I do not have a link to the article..

Here is a link to the cover... http://99wspeedshop.com/Mopar Action/2006-10.webp

 

[RustyRatRod]

Just went to the shop and tried the intermediate shaft... It fits and turns well...


I do not have a link to the article..

Here is a link to the cover... http://99wspeedshop.com/Mopar Action/2006-10.webp

Good deal. You obviously got an aftermarket one.

 

[67Dart273]

All the OEM bushings need burnishing after they are pressed in, because the press fit makes the hole smaller in the bushing and the intermediate shaft doesn't fit, without running the burnishing tool through it after installation. The aftermarket resolved that by making the bushing with a slightly oversized hole so that when it's pressed in, it is the correct diameter. If yours is a Durabond or other aftermarket bushing, it's likely the correct size.

THIS.

"Home brewed" is also a decades old term from amateur radio.

"What are you running for station equipment?"

"Receiver here is a Binford X40,000D, transmitter is homebrew, as is the antenna coupler and SWR bridge. We currently have a homebrew amplifier in the works, using an Eimac 4CX-10000. We intend to run about 5KV on the anode, with a homebrew power supply. Even though that is a bit overkill, it should loaf along at the legal limit"

(One ALWAYS uses the term "we" in the old days, when talking about himself, the licensed amateur, and the things he has done, is doing, or is planning. NO ONE knows why that is. Probably to make it seem as if there is a huge, well trained crew maintaining the gigantic amateur station.)

 

["Dart67"]

THIS.

"Home brewed" is also a decades old term from amateur radio.

"What are you running for station equipment?"

"Receiver here is a Binford X40,000D, transmitter is homebrew, as is the antenna coupler and SWR bridge. We currently have a homebrew amplifier in the works, using an Eimac 4CX-10000. We intend to run about 5KV on the anode, with a homebrew power supply. Even though that is a bit overkill, it should loaf along at the legal limit"

(One ALWAYS uses the term "we" in the old days, when talking about himself, the licensed amateur, and the things he has done, is doing, or is planning. NO ONE knows why that is. Probably to make it seem as if there is a huge, well trained crew maintaining the gigantic amateur station.)

View attachment 1716452955

All of my "Ham" antennas are also "Home-Brewed"...

W5HMB.... Whiskey 5 Herb's MOPAR Barn.........

 

[Newbomb Turk]

Just went to the shop and tried the intermediate shaft... It fits and turns well...


I do not have a link to the article..

Here is a link to the cover... http://99wspeedshop.com/Mopar Action/2006-10.webp

The issue is the hole in the block isnt necessarily straight and round. So while it may spin like a knob on a **** house door but when you run the engine the bushing may grab the shaft.

You’d be surprised how many pump drives Ive removed that the bushing grabbed the shaft. I’ve never seen that using the burnishing tool.

Just an FYI.

 

[67Dart273]

The OEM bushings are a press fit and "shrink" in the bore. The same thing happens with the now obsolete OEM distributor bushings, a kit which you used to be able to buy like candy from the dealers. You press the bushings in, the shaft won't fit, or wont turn.