Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

Okay, the manifold is back on, and as a test I dropped in the distributor with no gasket. I measure an .026" gap between the bottom of the distributor and the manifold.

http://i.imgur.com/v2A7Py6.jpg

Here it is with an .030" shim and a gasket.

http://i.imgur.com/n7Pa8rV.jpg

Hopefully it'll stay together a little longer this time.

http://i.imgur.com/YJbMKVG.jpg

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

If you don't think that gasket material will hold the distributor at the right clearance, I have seen valve spring shims used for clearance. Might have search to find one the right size but might give more peace of mind. Nice build.

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

Seems to me, the FelPro blue distributor base gasket seems to work as well as any for a combination gasket and spacer. The cheap gray fiber gaskets swell up and get soft after a while. Great build!! The valve spring shim is a brilliant idea. Just finding one the correct ID is the game.

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

If I remember we tried differential shims not sure what car but definitely was from a Chevy my partner at the time was a parts mgr so we used to shop the parts bins regularly might be worth a look otherwise depending on the ID of those spring shims they do work. FED 387

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

I'll measure one this weekend, but I'm thinking 12-bolt pinion shims might be a near perfect fit.

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

If you find no other solution - http://www.streetsideauto.com/p/moro...FQ-QaQode-ICIw


Moroso 26150

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

Jegs, Summit, etc. offer these nylon dist. shims. -Al

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...40082/10002/-1

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

Now that I think more about it it was probably 12 bolt pinion shims you might get by with one or may have to stack them--- just remember consider tooth engagement between the cam and dist. gears--FED 387

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

Wow, that's a lot of ideas!

Actually, if you look back at my previous post you'll see I mentioned that I already have a shim (.030") in there, and yes it's one of these nylon shims. Seems like it should work fine.

Re: '66 Malibu N/SA
 

12 bolt shim is 1.45x 2.08 diameter if it helps anyone