I am installing HEI trigering components in a Points Style Distributor. To do this, I turned down the part of the distributor(about 1/8")where the points plate rides (vacuum advance rotates the plate) to get enough clearance to mount the HEI reluctor/coil assembly. Under this area is a felt washer, a plastic "seal" and then some "chambers" that had what appeared to be dried out grease or VERY "dried out oil". I pulled 3 distrubutors apart, 2 points type and one HEI. They all appeared to have the same substance in these chambers.
WHAT IS THE SUBSTANCE? Is it grease from original installation or is it "dried out oil"?

The chambers (described above) are around the upper bushing and there are two holes thru the bushing that connects to the chambers.

IS OIL COMMING THRU THE BUSHING INTO THE CHAMBERS OR IS LUBE COMMING FROM THE CHAMBERS INTO THE BUSHING?

Now that I have turned down the part of the distributor, I no longer have room to install the "plastic seal".

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I USE THE DISTRIBUTOR WITHOUT THE "PLASTIC SEAL" INSTALLED? Will it let oil go up into the upper part of the distrubutor?

If the lube comes from the chambers into the bushing, what kind of lube should I put into the chambers when I reassemble the distributor?

Thanks, Joel

As far as I can tell, it's white grease.
The grease will melt and seep through the bushing to lube it.
will your plate cover the "chamber"?
I don't think there is any problem with leaving out the plastic cover.

I'd thought of doing that modification to a point type distributor. Please let me know how it works.
David

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67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

The lubricant in the top of the housing is an EXTREMELY expen$ive specialized lube; as I recall, it's only available from GM in 12-oz. tubes for about $50.00, and the plastic seal is to keep it in the cavity in the housing and away from the points. Try a shop or service that rebuilds distributors to get the small quantity that you need.

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JohnZ
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

The junk in the top of your distributor is a dried grease and is avaliable for around $5 from a guy who does reproduction parts under the name of Street Specialties. I think his name was Dan Street and he does a lot of distributor parts and also matt finished urethane sway bar bushings that will pass for rubber stockers. I will try to dig through my disarrayed files and find his bussiness number for you. One last caution! when pulling apart your distributors try to save the clear plastic seal at the top of the housing as these have become obsolete for the older points type distributors! I also highly reccomend the PETRONIX IGNITOR breakerless ignition conversions they have been very reliable for me for over 8 years now.