Want to learn something today

grandpa Love · May 30, 2018

Down in the N forum someone is
looking for distributor cam lube?
I guess I'm still learning about
old tractors. What is it ? Where
do you put it ? How much? And why?
Schools in......go! Thanks!

Dopp Creek · May 30, 2018

The points open and close by following a cam on the distributor shaft. As the arm hits the high spot on the cam, the points open. There is a pad on the arm that you put grease on. Without grease the pad wears away and the point gap changes and your engine runs differently. Sorry I don't have a any pictures and its been 20 years since I've thought about it.

Ultradog MN · May 30, 2018

Distributor cam lube keeps rge rubbing block on the points from wearing as fast and changing the point gap.
Some of the better brands of points still come with a little plastic pill that has the grease in it.
I haven't owned distributor cam lube for years.
I use high temp plumbers grease which works just as well and most of us already have in a drawer somewhere.

Richard G. · May 30, 2018

Yep, we used to joke that the pill was something you were supposed to take to calm you down after getting so frustrated putting the points in.
Richard

Janicholson · May 30, 2018

A tiny dab the size of a farmer match head placed on one of the lobes of the dist cam, and smushed to be along the crest of that lobe will get wiped to where it is needed. Some points have a wiper felt that supplies a wicked amount of thinner (engine) oil onto the cam. The only grease I don't use is graphite grease as the carbon is conductive. Jim

old · May 30, 2018

So I guess you never noticed the little pill thing that comes with points that has grease in it. It is with the point so you can lube the rubbing block of the points to slow wear down in the block

JF in MI · May 30, 2018

Back in the 60s I bought a tube of distributor cam lube from GM. It is a several life time supply. Naturally it wasn't too long after that they all went to electronic ignition.

MarkB_MI · May 30, 2018

This is one of those things where less is more. I used to have a tube of the stuff in my tool box; I don't think you can even buy distributor cam lube any more.

There are a couple of ways to apply it. You can put a very light coating on each cam lobe. Or you can put a glob of the stuff on the leading edge of the cam wiper on the points. Just remember than any excess lube will be flung onto the points and wreck them.

showcrop · May 30, 2018

Whatever you do don't use silicone grease. It will find its way somehow into a paint job.

Lucid · May 30, 2018

(quoted from post at 17:59:01 05/30/18) Yep, we used to joke that the pill was something you were supposed to take to calm you down after getting so frustrated putting the points in.
Richard

Yes! Definitely need a beer afterwards.

dr sportster · May 31, 2018

They used to say use less than the tip of a pencil-- to keep it off the points.

Want to learn something today

grandpa Love

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Dopp Creek

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Ultradog MN

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Richard G.

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Janicholson

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old

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JF in MI

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MarkB_MI

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showcrop

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Lucid

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dr sportster

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