MTFCA Forum

I inherited Dad's T Speedster equipped with an original Bosch front plate distributor. Is there a proper method to lubricate the shaft? I got to spend a couple of hours last nate pulling the front plate off because the cam shaft nut came off? Is there a torque spec for the nut? Armstrong? Is locktite appropriate as there is not a hole for a cotter pin or safety wire.

Loktite is your friend if you own a "vibrate itself apart" Model T !

Do you have the correct parts?
The cam nut is special with 2 tabs to mate with the gear then the normal brush nut.
Once the cam nut is tight, I use a prick punch to lock the nut into the timing gear.
Locktite would add a belt & suspenders additional safety. Being a locktite fan, but I didnt feel the need to use it in this application.

Is it a true "front plate" distributor, using a special timing cover, or a "clip-on" distributor, using the stock T cover plate? You seem to be saying that your cam nut and cam gear are two separate things. A true front plate uses a one-piece cam nut/gear.

As to lubricating the shaft, there should be an oiler at the base of the distributor head. The lower end is lubricated with the engine oil.

In addition to the oiler under the distributor head, do people periodically smear an oil film on the surface of the points cam and put a drop of oil down the side of the shaft from above?

PorkChops wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 16, 2026 8:10 am

In addition to the oiler under the distributor head, do people periodically smear an oil film on the surface of the points cam and put a drop of oil down the side of the shaft from above?

Oil from above not required. No oil on point cam. There is a special lube for that.

PorkChops wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 16, 2026 8:10 am

In addition to the oiler under the distributor head, do people periodically smear an oil film on the surface of the points cam and put a drop of oil down the side of the shaft from above?

I have put a thin coat of oil on the cam*, but I don't do so regularly thereafter. Don't put oil down the side of the shaft. The centrifugal advance is located directly under the point plate. Getting oil on it may eventually gum it up. The oiler leads directly to the top of the uppermost shaft bearing. It's the best way to lube the shaft.

*Edit: As Jeff states above, there is a special lube for that, which I forgot about.

Thank you to you both - that's most helpful. I've not put any oil anywhere on top - and that's the way it will stay.

Cam follower arm on points gets a VERY SMALL dab of dielectric grease.

I run early VW distributors. Under the rotor is a felt plug that needs a drop of oil periodically.
This lubricates the upper shaft that the advance turns/pivots on.
Not sure this applies to the original Bosch F P distributor, but look under the rotor.

Thank you.

Thanks for the help. So yes it is a repro front plate that replaces the front cover with a 009 distributor. The gear fits onto the camshaft with teeth that mesh and the nut to secure it.
Jerry are you advising to use motor oil on the felt under the points assembly, and this will lubricate the rotor shaft? I'll check the dist to see if it is so equipped.

I may need to pull the cover again and verify the nut is on correctly or just peen the threads. [image][/image] the attached image is a screenshot from Chaffins website that is the dist we have.

Chuck,

Much of my advice was based on an original Bosch distributor. I'm not familar with using and maintaining a 009 unit. It turns out I was also mistaken on the one-piece nut/gear. What you have is the original style nut & gear arrangement for a front plate unit.