Distributor Leaking - I've read the other posts

[CentFiat]

Hi Fiat Friends

I will start off by saying that I have read the other posts on the leaking distributor. My question is more around what could be causing my leak.

I had the engine rebuilt recently (less than 1k miles ago) in which, the mechanical did quite a bit of performance upgrades. The biggest was going to hemispherical pistons. I believe my distributor is the original one and I have noticed after driving my car a bit, I have significant oil leak from the distributor. I thought it was the small gasket at the flange face of the distributor but this looks to be in good shape. However, i noticed on my distributor that I do not have an O-Ring seal similar to what I am seeing n Vick Auto's replacement distributor.

Do you guys think that with the increased compression, i will always have a leak with my original distributor? Should I look to buy a new one from Vick or is there something I am missing.

Thanks all

[geospider]

I also had a leak at the distributor. Found it was coming up through the shaft. I had oil inside the base, there is a couple holes where it conveniently comes out. Cleaned it out, drove a bit until the smoke came, pulled the cap and there is was.
I bought a new one from AR (sale price at the time). No more leak.
I will eventually rebuild the old one; can get all the parts at one of the usual suppliers, although I have only found the new roll pin at Midwest-Bayless.

mine is a 79.

Geo

[CentFiat]

@Geospider

Thanks for the information on this. I do wonder when my engine was rebuilt if the mechanic put on a different distributor. There are a lot of things I question during the rebuild because, and unfortunately so, the main mechanic passed half way through the rebuild. It was finished by someone who didn't start it meaning they may have not known where the original parts were.

I think I will look at ordering a new one and just move on with it.

Appreciate your reply.

[AndyVAS]

The shaft seal is a common failure. The base gasket seals fine with or without the extra o-ring. The only time the base gasket tends to leak is when the hold down isn't tight.

Replacing the seal is cheap but a real PITA. We have the seal and shaft bearings but most people buy the complete new distributor.