Hi,

Was replacing my cap and rotor and discovered my previous rotor was pretty seriously bent. Then, once I got a new cap and rotor installed, no start.

I checked the distributor, and the gear had broken. Upon trying to fish it out of the engine, I inadvertently dropped the pieces in there!

Wondering what I should do. I've heard that gears are tough to buy. Also, am I going to have to remove the oil pan to retrieve the pieces, or are they OK in there?

I may just convert to electronic, actually, as I had been using an electronic-lite points conversion kit that still used the ballast.

Any help would be huge here.

The gear is not at all difficult to buy. You can get it from NAPA (Echlin DG-404 or Balkamp 6551120) or from Standard (DG-11) or from Dorman (90450) or from Chrysler (2084 653). See here and here for important instructions on how (and how not) to replace it.

If you're interested in converting to electronic ignition -- a good idea! -- check out the HEI upgrade article, which includes a link to a good source for a brand-new electronic distributor.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks, Dan, you da man. I called Napa before you responded and I have my stuff ready to go.

Thanks also for pointing out the "hole issue" in the gear, as I would never have had a clue. It's time to get to work!

Got it installed, but during the installation, noticed a piece of transmission linkage (formerly) attached to the transmission had snapped. Distributor is fine, but that linkage can't be.

Times can be hard for a 47 year old car, to be sure.

C

Would it be the kickdown linkage that goes from the carb to the trans? Those are relatively cheap to get from someone who has done a super six swap and no longer needs the 1 barrel linkage. I've got one laying around here somewhere.

Does the 66 have that funky bellcrank setup for the throttle?

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Yeah. But just the small piece of metal that actually connects to the Trans. It's probably kickdown. The rest of the linkage is fine, but that one piece is just hanging there.

Sounds like the Kickdown lever broke.
These levers slide onto a shaft sticking out of the transmission and clamp onto the shaft using a 7/16 head bolt.
See if you can remove the other piece bolted to the trans and get someone to weld it back together. (or find a replacement)

This will be a great time to replace the small rubber seal that sits below a thick washer, installed between the lever's base and the trans case.
DD

Thanks for your addition, Doc! I assumed that a replacement part would be near on impossible to get short term, so I went into the shop this morning and instructed my guy to weld the piece as you noted. (Welding is way above my mechanical pay grade, frankly

Hopefully all goes well.

I have some good used KD levers if you need one.
DD

Yikes. This one's getting ugly. My shop says they have to "drop the trans slightly" before they can access the kickdown lever. Seems odd to me, as it's right there. The drama continues!

It is kind of tight in transmission hump for transmission, levers & rods, exhaust pipes, and hands. I think all your guy is going to do is free the tail shaft from its mount, and let the transmission & engine tilt down to gain some working room. No big deal.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC