Leaky '81 Beta Distibutor...

[KeppelmanJ]

Anyone know of a source stateside for the o-ring and gasket (seal too?) for an '81 distributor? I have a constent slow drip. IAP, Fiatplus don't have them.

thanks, John keppelman

[Gregory Smith]

I got an inner seal from Obert 2 years ago, PN 0000002098 for $12.75. For the o-ring I simply took the old one and found some close matches at an auto parts store, took them home and used the best fitting of the bunch. Can't recall what I did for a gasket but it may have been a DIY moment.

Hope this helps!

[Wallace]

The seal's bound to be a standard part. Try your local bearing stockist - it'll be dirt cheep as well. Gaskets can be cut out of gasket paper and a compass cutter.

[Tom McGaffigan]

The distributor seal is a standard size available from a bearing suppply house. Try Motion Industries or King Bearing if you have them in WA. I would order a floropolymer seal not a buna rubber seal. The FP seal will last for years, the buna rubber or nitrile seal will only last around 2 years. The FP seal is more expensive but still less than $20.
Tom McGaffigan

[KeppelmanJ]

Thanks, guys. I got the car on a lift today and I don't think the seal is an issue. The weep hole is dry and so is the seam at the plastic cap. There is a drip hanging from the distributor base and I assume the o-ring is the way to stop that. I've replaced that once (quite recently) along with the gasket, but I likely need to find an o-ring that's a tighter fit. There's also a oil wet exhaust manifold stud about in the cent on the bottom side with no sign of oil coming from the valve gasket above. That stud doesn't get into one of the oil galleys does it?

[Tom McGaffigan]

John,
Yes, a couple of the exhaust manifold studs do pass through into the cam box. If one is loose and drops out you will have a hell of a mess. Better check em.
Tom McGaffigan

[KeppelmanJ]

Oh yes, Tom, that does sound messy. Question is, is it seeping because it's loose or because oil inevitably runs down the threads? Drain the cambox, clean the threads and stud, and put the stud back in with a good heat proof sealant?

John