I should not be a boat owner. Ford 2.3L Distributor gear NLA

[newbie4life]

Good Morning guys,

My brother-in-law showed up to help time my boat a few weeks ago, and after many times of trying, pulled the distributor out, and the distributor gear is worn badly. No problem, right? Just buy a new gear for $8 and away you go, yes?

Wrong.

It's an 18 tooth gear, and found one that the gear is right on, but the position of the key is .110 of an inch higher.

OMC is NLA according to my distributor number

Mallory Ignition part number YS621CV.

any ideas at all?

I usually get the boat in the water by the time september rolls around. It's kinda sad as there's usually something that causes a small issue that keeps us out of the water. I'm ready to pull the plug on this thing.

"There are two favorite days of every man -- the day he buys a boat, and the day he sells the same boat."

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: I should not be a boat owner. Ford 2.3L Distributor gear NLA

Would a gear or shaft work for a car dist? I am thinking if the gear did not fit you could rip the entire ahft out and swap.

 

[newbie4life]

Re: I should not be a boat owner. Ford 2.3L Distributor gear NLA

My friend is looking at whether or not a car dist gear will work. We found one, and the teeth are identical, however, the hole that the pin goes in is a little different height. He's not sure if .115 lower would hurt anything, as you just rotate the distributor just one way or the other anyway. Thanks for the help!!!

 

[Gettinther]

Re: I should not be a boat owner. Ford 2.3L Distributor gear NLA

If possible drill gear 90 degrees from existing hole, redrill the gear at proper height .
drill gear on one side first at proper height , then install on shaft aligned with hole in shaft ,then drill straight through new hole in gear , through shaft, and out through opposite side of gear to complete. Install lock pin and go boating