M37 distributor problem

[BBUR]

I just purchased a 1953 m37 that has been converted to a 12v system with a conventional distributor. When the engine is running the distributor wobbles +/- 5 degrees as if its driveshaft is bent. Is anyone familiar with this issue? Is it the distributor shaft or its main drive gear/shaft? Where can I get a new or re manufactured distributor?

 

[Bill W]

Both the civie and military dists have a tapered slot on the bottom of their shafts that fit into the oil pump, the slot on the mil dist is offset ( see picture ) whereas the civie slot is centered on the shaft, so if the previous owner did not change out the military oil pump with a civie one when he installed the 12v dist than your gonna have a wobble from the civie shaft not being aligned with the offset groove in the mil oil pump.

 

[BBUR]

Thanks Bill. That makes perfect sense. Looks like I'll need to change the oil pump to the civilian version. I presume I'll need to drop the oil pan to change the pump. Any pointers would be helpful. I appreciate your advice!

 

[Bill W]

No you don't need to drop the pan as the oil pump is external and bolts into the side of block ( pic ). My tip would be to go buy or look up TM 9-1840A engine rebuild manual for the M-37 being you will have to align the pump slot ( aprox 1 o'clock position ) via the cam gear with tdc on #1.

 

[BBUR]

Thanks Bill. I ordered an engine manual and am looking for a new civilian oil pump now. Good design not having to drop the oil pan to replace the pump.

 

[toddbe]

Bill, Thanks for the above photo. Helped me figure my problem. I'm converting my engine back to 24 volts for the M43 I'm working on. Todd