Distributor oilite bushes

[David.H]

Good evening all !
Does anyone know if it is possible or necessary to re-oil oilite bushes without taking them out of the distributor? 
My query is that I have a NOS distributor that has been on a shelf for 60 years and I worry that the bushes may have dried out (can they? do they?) I really don't want to take this brand new distributor apart to fit new bushes!
David

[A G Wood]

https://www.bowman.co.uk/bearings/oilite...g-bearings
and
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/thread...gs.220890/ ("Trav" post)
The auto sparkies used to keep their replacement oilite generator/starter stored in jars of oil on the back of their work bench, so I don't see why a nice warm oil bath wouldn't go amiss after 60 years...

E: as in immerse the nose of the distributor in the warmed oil and leave it in there overnight

[David.H]

Thank you AGW... Nothing to lose by putting the drive end in some hot oil (plenty of SAE30 here!)...if it works, fine, if it doesn't, I will have to change the bearings sooner or later!

[Howard Wright]

Hi Both

I’m interested in this thread as I have a DJ4 distributor with slightly worn bushes.  These distributors have oilers so I am not sure if they used Oilite or phosphor bronze bushes. I believe Oilite bushes are available from the Distributor Doctor but if they are phosphor bronze I can make some up on the lathe and ream once fitted. I don’t think you should ream Oilite?

Cheers

Howard

[Tony Griffiths]

A vast range of Oilite bearings can be ordered online from: https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/Metric-Pla...TYQAvD_BwE
A full technical description of Oilite bearings, the different types, how to fit them correctly without distortion, how they may be reamed or single-point tool modified, etc, is here and well worth a read: https://www.bearing.co.il/OILITE.pdf
You can cut or ream Oilite - but never hone or grind as these processes close up the essential pores.

[Howard Wright]

Thanks Tony

Most helpful.

Cheers

Howard

[Robert Foreman]

I always thought the DJ4 distributor didn't have bushes and the shaft ran in the cast iron body. 

  Also the DK4 oilite bushes are special in that the id is metric and the od is imperial. 12.5mm id and 5/8" od from memory.

[Howard Wright]

Hi Robert

You are probably right.  I couldn’t see a bush at the drive gear end but what seemed to be one at the cam end.  I mistakenly thought the single bush had been installed from the top down into a blind hole.  I’ll take the distributor apart again sometime in the near future and check again.  It is acting as a spare so the wear is not critical at the moment.

Thanks

Howard