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331-354 Hemi intermediate shaft for LA dist

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 73RR, Apr 30, 2009.

  1. 73RR
    Joined: Jan 29, 2007
    Posts: 7,342

    73RR
    Member

    Ok, so you want to run an LA distributor in your 331 or 354 and your on a budget...
    When we measure the difference in the distributor shaft lengths we find that the LA is between .25" and .3" shorter than the Hemi dizzy shaft. We'll work with the .3" number.

    [​IMG]

    So then we look at the intermediate shaft for the 331-354 (bottom) and compare it to the 392 shaft (top) and, Hey! there is .3" difference between the two. Hhhmmmm... What if we removed the pin and just pressed the shaft into the gear farther so that the shafts were the same length?
    [​IMG]

    Press out the pin
    [​IMG]

    Use a drift to remove the shaft from the gear so we can give them a good cleaning
    [​IMG]

    Cleaned, lightly polished, and ready for assembly
    [​IMG]

    Not a great pic, sorry 'bout that...these stock shafts are harder than hell so I ground a small flat where the new pin hole will be to make it easier to drill through
    [​IMG]

    Oops, the flats are on the side, I did rotate it before I pressed the shaft into the gear. Note that I used some shaft and bearing retainer
    [​IMG]

    Just to make sure, we check the modified shaft against a stock 331-354 part for shaft length. On the money.
    [​IMG]

    Now the fun part. Drilling through hardened steel is challenging. I like to start with a new drill bit, moderate speed, and lots of cutting fluid. It requires more than normal force on the hand wheel, but be cautious, if you break the drill bit off in the shaft you get to start over, with all new parts.
    [​IMG]

    Back to the parts press to reinstall the pin. Again, lots-o-locktite.
    [​IMG]

    Now we have the top of the shaft flush with the top of the gear (right) compared with a stock part (left) with the shaft down .3".
    [​IMG]

    Reinstall the shaft and gear, drop in the LA distributor, and your set.

    A similar process exists for the 392, however, a new shaft is required in addition to a pressed on collar at the top. If there is interest we can do a '92 shaft project.

    .
     
    deucemac, Godspeed and saltflats like this.
  2. Nice tech Gary. You are a rare breed for sure. Most suppliers woulnt dream of putting info like this on a public forum, when thay can sell the part instead. Thanks for passing this information on.
     
  3. strombergs97
    Joined: May 22, 2006
    Posts: 1,888

    strombergs97
    Member
    from California

    Hello..How will the intermediate shaft fit to the oil pump tang now that you have shortened it????
    Duane..
     
  4. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,905

    George
    Member

    He's using the longer 392 shaft to make up for the shorter LA distributor shaft.
     
  5. scootermcrad
    Joined: Sep 20, 2005
    Posts: 12,383

    scootermcrad
    Member

    Kick ass!! Thank you Gary!!! I really appreciate you doing this!!

    Adding it to the Tech pages!!
     
  6. Abomination
    Joined: Oct 5, 2006
    Posts: 6,772

    Abomination
    Member

    This totally rocks!!!!!!!!

    Now maybe that LA mag I was saving for one of the 318 Polys might actually make it onto that 'ol IND56!

    And hell yes - do the 392 project! There's interest!

    ~Jason
     
  7. Dreddybear
    Joined: Mar 31, 2007
    Posts: 6,152

    Dreddybear
    Member

    Thank you! Great tech!
     
  8. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

  9. Abomination
    Joined: Oct 5, 2006
    Posts: 6,772

    Abomination
    Member

    BTTT for the afternoon folks! ;)

    ~Jason
     
  10. dehudso
    Joined: Sep 25, 2003
    Posts: 545

    dehudso
    Member

    Very nice work.
     
  11. scootermcrad
    Joined: Sep 20, 2005
    Posts: 12,383

    scootermcrad
    Member

    Deserves a bump!
     
  12. Abomination
    Joined: Oct 5, 2006
    Posts: 6,772

    Abomination
    Member

    Hells yeah!

    ~Jason
     
  13. BashingTin
    Joined: Feb 15, 2010
    Posts: 270

    BashingTin
    Member

    Bump!

    Just read this again. Great tech!
     
  14. good stuff - 73RR - thanks
     
  15. jsrail
    Joined: Sep 21, 2007
    Posts: 112

    jsrail
    Member

    Had the same issue on my Dodge 315 Poly, but I cheated and bought the new shaft from Hot Heads. Was wondering if the shaft running flat up top with the gear was correct, and thanks Gary, mine looks just like your pic, so maybe I did something right for a change!
     
  16. 4tford
    Joined: Aug 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,824

    4tford
    Member

    Great info. This is why this site is so great the people here share great tech info. bttt
     
  17. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,905

    George
    Member

    There have been reports of problems with the HH shafts.....
     
  18. gatz
    Joined: Jun 2, 2011
    Posts: 2,125

    gatz
    Member

    I'd do that for my 331 ....but where to find an Intermediate Shaft for a 392?

    Looked in HAMB ads, none there... checked eBay...nope

    Someone got one layin around?
     
  19. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    Cool beans! Bump
     
  20. jsrail
    Joined: Sep 21, 2007
    Posts: 112

    jsrail
    Member

    Crap, I can't catch a break anywhere!
     
  21. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,905

    George
    Member

    Well, some reports with the shaft or the 340HV HH modified pumps. Had Kent Redd make me a shaft that works with unaltered 340 HV pump.
     
  22. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,905

    George
    Member

    OK...someone said the BB Chr dizzy fit nicely in the 331/354 block, but then someone pointed out that it turns the wrong way, oops! But....if they're the right length, are they the same diameter so the BB shaft could be used in the LA dizzy?
     
  23. Stefan T
    Joined: Sep 15, 2008
    Posts: 2,165

    Stefan T
    Member
    from Sweden

    a diffrent way to deal with this problem is do a adter like this

    [​IMG]

    i have dome one of a old oil pump shaft and milled a cut in the end 90 degre across the tab

    /Stefan
     
  24. BashingTin
    Joined: Feb 15, 2010
    Posts: 270

    BashingTin
    Member

    Stefan,

    Do you press some kind of sleeve over it at the top to hold it in place?
     
  25. Stefan T
    Joined: Sep 15, 2008
    Posts: 2,165

    Stefan T
    Member
    from Sweden

    The gear hold it in place and steer up the dissy
     
  26. TR Waters
    Joined: Nov 18, 2006
    Posts: 1,439

    TR Waters
    Member
    from Vermont
    1. Early Hemi Tech

    You need to pay attention, as the hole in the top of the gear is a larger diameter than the lower part where the shaft fits. An adapter made from an old pump shaft may not fit snug in the top of the gear.
     
  27. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    I was wondering about this myself. Think they are the same diameter.
     
  28. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,905

    George
    Member

    Nobody knows?
     
  29. 73RR
    Joined: Jan 29, 2007
    Posts: 7,342

    73RR
    Member

    I'd offer to check but have a full plate right now...perhaps someone could pester GMC Bubba...

    .
     
  30. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    I have a huge box of BB and SB distributors at my dads house, I guess I could drag them down to my place and measure them. Pretty sure (like 98%) they are the same diameter.
     

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