Auxiliary shaft replacement

[grntRUDD13]

So I'm pretty sure that the aux shaft just grenaded itself. Either that or the distributor gear, but I've heard it's better to replace both at the same time so it doesn't really matter either way. So I have a few questions. I did do a search on here and didn't find anything, and google didn't help much either. So here goes. Is the Esslinger kit the best one to get? It has a billet shaft and bronze gear, but do I need anything else? Also, is there a guide somewhere that shows in a somewhat step-by-step manner how to change it? I was wondering if pulling the engine was the best way, or if it was possible to just remove the radiator, etc. from the front and do it that way. I know I'll need to drop the oil pan to clean out any fragments, but I really don't know much else. And lastly (I think) is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again? Other than a few things, the car is in mostly stock form, and I'd prefer to keep it that way, so no crazy mods. Thanks for helping.

Grant

[MikeFleming]

You won't need to pull the radiator, just the cooling fan. Unless you need to change the auxiliary shaft bearings in the block.

I don't have any new distributor gears, but I have a few NOS auxiliary shafts.

The Essy kit just makes the dist gear into an easily-replaceable wear item. Both the drive gear (on the aux shaft) and dist gear are easily replaceable (for a price).

[grntRUDD13]

Is the Esslinger kit worth the price? You said the distributor gear will be a wear item. Is that so if the gear (bronze) goes then it won't destroy the auxiliary shaft gear? As long as the shaft doesn't show signs of excess wear, do you think it would be necessary to replace the bearings? Sorry for asking so many questions. Thanks.

[svopony]

I am running the Essy aug. shaft and bronze gear in my SVO. I had the engine rebuilt and at that time the shaft and gear were installed.

I run 2 years on a brand new gear then check it and every year after that till in shows signs of wear.

I would check the oil pump and make sure it spins freely before you put in the new shaft and gear or maybe just replace the oil pump all together.


Bar

[brownsvo]

check anything and everything related to the aux shaft system. when my 2nd one blew up i went the easy route and jacked the engine up and scooped what i could with a magnet out of the pan. I maybe got 99% of it but that still didnt (and could of) caused my spun bearing.

-I noticed my distributor also had some surface rust on the shaft causing it to slightly drag, i cleaned that up and in my mind felt better.

-Go to the junkyard and pull a distributor and auxshaft for 1/4 the price of the esslinger stuff. Getting a matching set is important because they are already meshed together plus you will have a spare distributor in case of emergency.

-What i did, and not high tech and probably frowned upon was, spray painted the distributor gear white and installed it. ran it around town and checked to make sure the paint wore off evenly. From my little understanding is just because you put the roll pin back in doesn't meant its 100% aligned. always double check your work.

[blueboss]

There's never enough time or money to do it right the first time but there always seems to be enough of both to do it over again. If you're trying to get back on the road because you need the car, then by all means, go get the used pieces from the junkyard, get back on the road and save up your money for the esslinger pieces. If you don't need the car for daily activities and you only want to do this once, just get the esslinger pieces from the onset. Putting a used aux shaft and gear into another engine is the same thing as putting used rod or crank bearings into an engine. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Not a hard job. I just did this last month and it took me about 3 hours total.

[grntRUDD13]

Since money isn't overly tight I think I'll just get the ones from Esslinger. That and I have yet to see a foxbody in any junkyard I've been to that has really any parts at all. I have another car (Jeep) to drive but I should be able to order the parts in the next few days. Sounds like I had this job being way more complicated than it really is. One last question, are there any places I need to check for metal shavings other than the oil pump when I drop the oil pan? Thanks for all the input though. I appreciate it.

Grant

[brownsvo]

well the possibility of the shavings traveling anywhere oil goes, the possibilities are many

[grntRUDD13]

Well I ordered the parts. Spending money on parts isn't near as fun when it does nothing for performance... I'll drop the pan when I change everything and clean it and whatever else I see. Hopefully minimize the chance of any gear remnants going anywhere else. At least it was due for an oil change in a couple hundred miles.

[svopony]

I would suggest after you are back up and running to change the oil after about 200 miles to hopefully get all the hidden pieces out and put a magnet away from the oil pick up to try any catch and chunks.


Bar

[MikeFleming]

Only frags/particles the gear on the aux shaft will be collected/retained by a magnet. The Essy dist gear is not magnetic.

[svopony]

Only frags/particles the gear on the aux shaft will be collected/retained by a magnet. The Essy dist gear is not magnetic.

I was mainly talking about the time between the oil changes after that it could be removed or left to collect any metal fragments.

Bar

[Under Pressure]

I have been running the Esslinger gears for years. The dist gear stripped this weekend thru in my spare dist with bronze gear. Ready to go changed oil. There are no more heavy duty Esslinger aux shafts available. Bummer

[Mike S]

I have been running the Esslinger gears for years. The dist gear stripped this weekend thru in my spare dist with bronze gear. Ready to go changed oil. There are no more heavy duty Esslinger aux shafts available. Bummer


The Essy store is back up and running and the shafts are available here: http://store.esslingeracing.com/cart/2_3_billet_intermediate_shaft_kit-details.aspx

[Under Pressure]

Thanks they've gone up in price since I bought mine. I'll post a pic of the gear after I get it off the dist. right now it's in the freezer.

[rodster]

So what is the weak link in this set up? Worn oil pump? With normal maintenance and sensible driving :) what has been a typical life expectancy?

[Under Pressure]

On the stock engine setup I think some of the problem is wear on the bushing inside the distributor that allows too much up and down play on the gears. Also the cast metal of the aux shaft was made for Pinto power. The Esslinger setup is the best way to go with a good distributor.

[rodster]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when I get back to my project.