two steps backward...

[blueskies]

Did we discuss the possibility of a loose flywheel bolt transfering the noise to the crank shaft??? Doesn't deal with the dizzy wobble but.......

I believe that was checked when the pan was down.

Yup, Checked thrice now...

Pete

[blueskies]

Well Pete,

I suggest a change over to an MSD crankshaft triggered ignition. Then you can toss the distributor and not worry about the problem.

Hell, it would probably take less effort and cost less in the end than running this problem down....

You would also get that "Racers Edge" when the big race takes place...

Best, James

Hadn't thought about this option... It's only $326.00 for a universal kit

[Merle Coggins]

I've been following this trying to come up with something helpful that someone else hasn't already stated, asked, or checked. Now, I don't know much about Langdon's distributors, but I don't remember reading anywhere through this ordeal that you have confirmed that the distributor shaft in not bent. Have you tried chucking the shaft into a drill and give it a spin while holding the distributor body? Maybe there's a slight bend in the shaft that gets exagerated every time you remove and replace it?

I've also been thinking about your noise being most noticable at the oil pump. If there is a problem with the fuel pump, and the lever isn't staying in contact with the cam lobe, it could be causing a tapping noise like a loose valve. However, the fuel pump mechanism may dampen the noise so it's not noticable at that component. But the oil pump is in constant mesh with the cam gear and could be transfering the noise making it sppear to come from there. I've had cases in construction equipment where there was a knock coming from an axle. Everyone swore it had a bad diff. After much disassembly and finding nothing, it was finally tracked back to a bad bearing in the transmission. It's funny how noises transfer through components.

Good luck. Don't let the iron beat you. You'll figure it out sooner or later. (hopefully sooner)

Merle

[blueskies]

...have confirmed that the distributor shaft in not bent...

Merle- I've tried three different distributors, two of Langdon's and my original. They all wobble, so I don't think it's the shaft of the distributor. However, I have not yet checked the current distributor shaft for a bend. This is on my to do list this weekend, just to be sure.

...the fuel pump mechanism may dampen the noise so it's not noticable at that component. But the oil pump is in constant mesh with the cam gear and could be transfering the noise making it sppear to come from there...

Merle

I'm hoping for this to be the case at this point. The next test is to remove the pump from the system and see if the noise goes away with it. I have a new pump on hand just in case. This is my best hope at this point, I'm out of ideas otherwise. If the noise turns out to be the fuel pump, and is unrelated to the oil pump/wobble, I think I'm going to put the old oil pump back on and call it good. The wobble issue was insignificant before I changed the pump.

Pete

[Norm's Coupe]

Chet-

I too thought this may have something to do with it. With the engine running, and with the timing bracket bolt removed, I can pull the distributor out of the block about 1/4" and the wobble doesn't change at all.

The timing bracket, or clamp, is the early mopar type, and has a bolt through the side of the bracket that clamps it to the housing of the distributor. This bracket can be positioned anywhere on the housing in terms of rotation and depth. I was going to put the clamp farther down on the housing to reduce the depth, but it didn't seem to make any difference.

Pete

I'm not into taking apart distributors other than changing points etc., so I may be way off with this one, but here goes. Could it be that the bracket that holds the distributor down is slightly out of round and that is what's causing the wobble. If it were, it wouldn't matter where it was positioned on the shaft, it would still wobble. And, if it is out of round, each time the shaft connects with the bracket it could also cause the ticking noise you are trying to find. The ticking noise would change in speed the faster the distributor turns. Maybe both problems are one in the same.