1150 tower of power distributor question

[buddhapi]

the distributor on my tower of power doesn't move. the linkage towards the top moves, but doesn't open the carbs very far. I see there is an adjustable stop screw on front and back side of the distributor for idle stop and max throttle, so I'm thinking it's suppose to turn a little?? I'm trying to resurrect this motor for a friend after about 10 years of sitting on a boat in a grove of trees. should the distributor turn a little bit if I grab the distributor cap and try to rotate?

 

[buddhapi]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

anybody else ever worked on one of these after they sat way too long? 3369525 I'm guessing is a 1972 model year engine?

 

[wired247]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

What happens if you open the throttle up? The distributor won't move unless you work the throttle or disconnect the linkage and work it manually.

 

[buddhapi]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

I've disconnected the rod that attaches to the pivot arm that the cable runs, and the distributor doesn't turn. if you tug on that rod, the parts surrounding the distributor turn, but nothing moves far enough to open the carburetor throttle plates. if you run the carbs by hand, this engine revs to beat "heck". the distributor housing/cap assembly does not budge for me. I removed the 2 bolts and plate with the "setting" screws. thanks' Greg

 

[wired247]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

Are you 100% sure? You can tug on that rod pretty hard but the throttle wont open unless you yank on it quite hard. Try reconnecting the rod and using the throttle controls without the engine running. Do that first. Theres a whole setup procedure for timing the linkage but making sure you need it would be a good idea before you start turning any bolts.

 

[buddhapi]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

I disconnected the cables and run it manually. I can pull that rod at least an inch and a half, but only open the throttle plates maybe 5-10 degrees. I can rotate the brown/black piece a bunch more by hand after the rod stops moving. this is why I'm thinking, if the distributor would rotate about 30 degrees, the accelerator parts would move that much further too, and I'd be good to go.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

There is a possibility that someone took the distributor apart and put it back together wrong,then just parked the headache.I just had my belt broken because the lower bearing seized up. Took it apart to replace the two bearings and put it back together,forgetting to put two middle parts together correctly.Result,a distributor that would work like yours.First sign that something wasn't right was the idle set screw was no longer touching the distributor,had a 1/2" gap.Then the throttle would not advance like yours.

 

[buddhapi]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

the distributor is against the front screw (low idle adjust?), but the distributor won't turn to hit the rear screw (max timing?) it is solid and won't budge.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

I would get a flywheel puller and remove the wheel which you have to do to remove the distributor.The front plate needs to be loosened and the top plate comes off.The rear plate is loosened as well but does not have to be taken off completely.There are marks on the wheel and distributor that need to be lined up when re-installing.Something is not meshing and you need to explore a bit more as to what is preventing it from rotating etc.

 

[buddhapi]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

well. I pulled the distributor out today after making a bunch of re-assembly marks for myself. if you grab the distributor cap or head of the distributor, it will not rotate separate from the base, which is bolted solid with the 3 bolt's. how do you begin to disassemble this distributor? does the distributor housing cap turn off? CW or CCW? are there any other sites out there with this kind of information?

 

[wired247]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

Sounds like the pin that retains the screen might be inserted into the upper section. Ive always wondered if it would go in there if it was assembled improperly. I suppose it will. Anyway theres a tab up top that locks the cap from turning. Not the distributor cap. The retainer on top that holds the outer distributor together. bend those 2 tabs in and you can unscrew the upper retainer and take the body apart.

 

[merc850]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

Here's a schematic and instructions for disassembly the rotor is molded onto the shaft - do not pull on it - but I don't think you have to touch the rotor/shaft all you have to do is loosen the fit between Nr. 13 and 15 and 20 - it could be rusted or bound up by hardened grease.

 

[buddhapi]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

# 15 had a lot of drag when I started working on it, but with some rust buster, I've got that really loosened up now. #13 and #20 are totally seized together. could it be that somebody way over tightened that top cap? it won't move for me, but I'm using extra caution after pricing new parts!! I can't get it to budge either way. I see it would be better if I had a special spanner wrench tool to take that upper cap off? I'm going back out to the shop to play with it some more. I do appreciate the help and I will keep you posted as to what I find. we've had the motor running and it sounds good, but it wouldn't go off of idle because the dist. won't turn to allow for max movement.

 

[wired247]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

You dont need a spanner for the top cap. Push those tabs out of the way and it unscrews by hand.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

I would say they are rusted together and need to be soaked with PB blaster or equivalent solvent. You might be able to put a socket in the housing upside down that catches the lip of the lower part and tap them apart[ like a bushing driver] not a lot to work with there as far as a ridge to catch.You really do not want to booger up that end , maybe a touch of heat but be careful with the wires.Looks like you found your problem..

 

[buddhapi]

Re: 1150 tower of power distributor question

I pulled it apart as far as removing the nut and the sleeve. still, nothing would budge. I clamped the upper housing into the vise and turned the dist cap end with a water pump pliers. I got it to move about 5 degrees....time for the rust buster. I'll let 'er soak for a couple days, adding more PB into the grease zerk hole right along. until she's good and loose. thanks again for all your help. reading the rest of these forums, I may as well order up a water pump impeller while I'm at it.