Distributor bearing?

[Curious Hound]

So, when I started the truck yesterday, (93, 3.0l) the first 2 or 3 times zi revved the engine, I heard a squeal/screeching noise. Did not sound like any FEAD noise or belt noise I have ever heard. Only happened a few times, engine cold, when I revved it up a bit.

Is that how the infamous distributor/cam sync bearing fail noise starts out? Should I try to dribble some oil in it somewhere? Or go ahead and order a new one? Maybe both. I was in the driver seat. So I can't pinpoint the location of the sound any better than to say "somewhere under the hood".

I need to order rag joints for the steering shaft anyway. So Rock Auto is about to get an order.

I pulled a distributor at the junk yard today. But its teeth were worn, the bottom end was severely gunked up and when I spun it in my hand, it squealed. After all that work, I left it laying there.

 

[Bgunner]

Mine started off sounding like belt noise, a chirp, but as it got worse I heard the metal on metal screech noise. Change it out, don't play with it because of the damage it can do can give you and your wallet a major bad day. Mine gave me hell finding the noise because the belt was chirping also, bad tensioner.

I picked up a new Distributor from Rock auto and a few months later the truck was hauled home on a flat bed because the roll pin sheared off. If you want I can check the brand so you can stay away from that particular one.

 

[Snoranger]

I’d ignore until you need to swap a 5.0l in.

 

[Curious Hound]

I’d ignore until you need to swap a 5.0l in.

My 3.0 ain't slow engine rebuild project took a scheduling and financial hit this year. Hopefully I can start accumulating parts again soon.

 

[racsan]

what about your ‘97 engine you picked up last march? As far as I remember it wasn’t squeaking when I last ran it.

 

[Curious Hound]

what about your ‘97 engine you picked up last march? As far as I remember it wasn’t squeaking when I last ran it.

The gear was about 5 revolutions from being smoother than the bearing. Plus, that one is a cam synchronizer. Mine is older and uses a distributor.

 

[racsan]

oh thats right, I forgot about that. I had a 93 taurus that wiped teeth from the distributor gear. While driving- Thought I broke the cam at first.

 

[Curious Hound]

oh thats right, I forgot about that. I had a 93 taurus that wiped teeth from the distributor gear. While driving- Thought I broke the cam at first.

Cheaper than a broken cam.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Mine started off sounding like belt noise, a chirp, but as it got worse I heard the metal on metal screech noise. Change it out, don't play with it because of the damage it can do can give you and your wallet a major bad day. Mine gave me hell finding the noise because the belt was chirping also, bad tensioner.

I picked up a new Distributor from Rock auto and a few months later the truck was hauled home on a flat bed because the roll pin sheared off. If you want I can check the brand so you can stay away from that particular one.

Probably a Dorman

 

[Bgunner]

Probably a Dorman

Actually no it wasn't, it could of been a Spectra but I need to look to be sure but I know it wasn't a Dorman. I still have the old one in the cellar in the new ones box, I collect old parts for the minor reusable pieces they have. Call it frugal or parts pack rat, It came in handy for the sheared roll pin.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Is that how the infamous distributor/cam sync bearing fail noise starts out?