Is there suppose to be a gasket under the distributor? I just took mine out and there's not one there .. ? Thanks

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

No - it (the distributor) just seats down on the block surface and clamps in place. Any distance it sits above the deck decreases some engaged items below - and you would like them to be as fully engaged as possible.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Thanks Steve, been a long time since I've had the distributor out of a Y block. I had forgot ... Summit told me there was one with the manifold gaskets but there wasn't one there .. Thanks again ...

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

You might try some sort of paste or moly lubricant as an "anti-seize" around the upper bore - but it needs to not have aluminum solids in it (if you ask me). Maybe some of the caliper grease I use as my all purpose high temp sticky lubricant? 

Anyway - the dumb things do get stuck when they are old dry and corroded.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve,



Why no aluminum solids? Is that what makes anti-seize silver?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Mine came out fine. I just thought there should be a gasket there to keep oil from coming from the valley and running down the back of the motor. Guess not. I think a SBC had gasket but it may not have, don't remember. Now I've got to feed new plug wires through the wire holders. Looks like fun but I've got a plan ..

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

nah, guys.....mechanic's "never-sieze" is usually zinc rich or copper rich (the solids) - but a fellow told me he had some aluminum "paint" he was using as a spray on thread coating! Aluminum oxide is a principle component of sandpaper the last time I looked and I couldn't imagine letting it get loose in an engine cavity.

Apparently on the planet he grew up on - silver stuff is "antiseize" no matter what the chemical make up.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve,you're probably right about not wanting aluminum oxide in an engine,but as an aside,back in the 40's and 50's my Dad was very good at souping up Minneapolis-Moline tractors.At that time the only way he could hold head gaskets was a liberal coat of aluminum paint.It didn't seem to hurt those engines,but they ran a lot looser tolerances and a lot less RPM's than our cars.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

As a rule, don’t use anti-seize compound that has aluminum in its makeup on aluminum where it's used in an interference fit or in contact against another metal.  The distributor going into the block is a perfect example of such an instance and aluminum in the anti-seize compound in this instance doesn’t do much for stopping the potential for galling or seizing between the two parts being fitted together.  Aluminum or silver paint on the head gaskets was a good sealer in its day where both heads were iron but you would not want to use it where an aluminum head is being used.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Also don't use it on Exhaust manifiold bolts. No fun after it "Cooks".

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart)