Early Commando distributor

I have more questions about the early Commando distributor. They involve parts listed in the Commando parts book.

1) The book lists bearings # 033068 and 034052. Andover Norton lists both of these as needle bearings. I can see a single needle bearing in my distributor body right where the shaft exits the body to mate with the drive sprocket.
Does anyone know where the other needle bearing fits?

2) The book also lists an oil seal, # 034053. I don't see this in my distributor. Anyone know where it goes?

3) Thrust washer # 034055 is also listed. Where does this go?

Any insight will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ed

I can't answer your questions but I do know that if you don't shim the free play out of the shaft it will make an ominous thump thump thump that will have everyone thinking
a bearing is about to give way.

The early points housing had one bearing and a bushing where the later ones had two bearings and a thrust washer. I'm not sure when the change was made, but the 1967 parts books (P11, N15, Atlas) show the bushing/bearing type, while the 68-70 book shows the double bearing type. Is it possible your breaker housing is from an earlier Atlas or N15?

Either should work fine on a 20M3 engine.

Thank you for the replies.

Seattle, where do you put the shims?

Ron L, I was beginning to come to that understanding myself. I bought the distributor separately and it does have a bushing near the points end of the shaft and a needle bearing near the sprocket. Must be from Atlas etc.

Thanks again,
Ed

Thanks Ron.
I was a bit lazy and had not pulled all 4 shafts out yet (found a 4th one by the distributor machine). Now I know 2 are early and 2 are late.
Was shocked to see one go for over $250 on ebay.

Ed
SHIM? is probably the late style thrust washer. No space for any more washers... again .022-.025 endplay seems OK to me.

Was shocked to see one go for over $250 on ebay.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm glad I started picking them up back when I first started collecting P11's and early fastback's.