Distributor endplay

[ffdemoss]

Hey everyone, I just got through competing a cam mounted distributor drive gear job on 91 Wagoneer. My last step is reinstalling the distributor. I am using new MSD gears and after installing the gear on the distributor I noticed that the end play seems excessive. It is not the original distributor, it is some type of aftermarket one and the owner installed it about 2000 miles ago. I am afraid the slop may have caused the drive gears to originally strip and would hate to have this same issue again. Any advice in what end play should be?

Also, I noticed that if I push the distributor shaft up there is a bit of binding which also tells me I need to tighten up the end play so the distributor runs smooth.

Since this isn't original, should I just buy another reman or go junk yard searching? Thanks for any advice.

[FSJunkie]

End play of ten thousandths is about right. Upwards of thirty thousandths is still ok.

[babywag]

I would check the gear mesh also, using similar method as ring & pinion gears.
Since it already ate a set of gears chances are high of a reoccurrence.

[FSJunkie]

That's a good idea.

Put some gear marking compound on it and rotate the engine with some resistance on the distributor to mark where the teeth make contact.

[ffdemoss]

So I got the clearance down to about 0.010 and ran the engine for about 10 miles and pulled the distributor to inspect. No obvious excessive wear, just a light rub/removal of the black coating that came on the gears. Both appeared to be centered in the gear. I doubled check cam shaft oiling with a scope, all appears good. I threw it back together and have put another 10 miles or so with no issues. I know that's not a lot, but it's more than some people have gotten. I'm rolling with it and will report back if something goes south. Thanks for the help.