I have an oil leak at the base of my dist. shaft that leaks down the drivers side of the block & onto/into my alternator. I am sure there is a seal there but can anyone give me any tips to replacing it. I know how to pull the shaft out but more details like marking the rotor and reinstall gear lube tips are what I am looking for. I just want to know I am doing it correctly. Ben

 

Remove your distributor - there is a o-ring on the shaft. Probably costs about $1.00.

Rotate your engine until the rotor is pointing at #1 and the Crank pulley is at 0 degrees - Top Dead Center...

Mark the position of the distributor - remove the bolt and pull it up and out.

Change the O-Ring - Replace Distributor.

Check Timing.

 

Same thing happened to my Celica. Its the dist o-ring, like radrex said.

 

I did mine exactly like radrex said years ago. Took 5 minutes and hasn't leaked since.

 

The o-ring is on the outside of the distributor, so no dissassembly of dist needed. Just pull dist out, replace o-ring, and re-install.

 

outside? How would you get the O ring off and a new one on over the head of the distributor? Getting ready to finally do this task after much leaking and procrastination <~~spelling?

 

The o-ring goes on the distributor shaft from the bottom. It will make sense after you pull it.
Make sure you make a reference mark on the distributor and the block.
DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE WITH THE DISTRIBUTOR OUT..

 

Should I have to readjust the timing? Or is it a case of mark it properly and set the rotor to #1 with the crank at zero and it is set? I am a worry wart when it comes to doing work on my rig. I know how to do it but worry I may do it wrong or something. How important is it to lube up the distributors gear while it is out?

 

You don't have to lube the dist.gear,it runs off the oil bath in the motor.You also dont have to turn the engine over to TDC.just pull the cap"CAREFULLY"(exactaly) mark rotor postion and dist.housing postion(digital cam pic would help,then remove dist,slide on a new Oring and put it back in exactly the same spot.Waalll aaaa,your done !

 

hondatec 521 just nailed the distributor swap procedure
I would put a bit of oil on the o-ring for good luck

 

thanks guys.