Distributor oil leak.. new inner seal?(ae82 fxgt)

[Mokoro]

My car = Toyota Corolla FXGT, 1985, AE82, blue top.

My distributor is leaking oil, through the inner seal, and down onto the drip tray.
On internal inspection, my distributor shaft (where it meets the oil seal) is poked (worn like a bastard).
So anyway, I bought a 2nd hand distributor (which is obviously leaking as well, due to gunk build up on the drip tray).
Now, I’m having this 2nd hand distributor put in tomorrow. My question is, can you replace the inner distributor seal? I’ve heard various answers to this... i.e. you can use just a normal oil seal with the right dimensions, and the guys at Toyota make it out as though the seal is "special" in some way, and cannot be replaced. (I.e. you have to buy an entirely new distributor).

Anyone ever reconditioned an AE82 distributor, and replaced the inner seal with just a normal oil seal? Successfully?

Cheers!

[Mr Revhead]

if the old one leaks dont you think the new one will have the same problem if its leaking aswell??

the reason toyota say you cant get that seal is you cant get it. toyota dont sell seperate bits for the internals of the dizzy. so if you are able to take it apart with out stuffing it then u probably can replace it. if you can find a seal

[Mokoro]

the way I see it, is this replacement distributor cant possibly leak anywhere near as badly as my current one.

I had a mate replace the inner seal on my current distributor, and the leak only got worse (we had the dimensions measured, then got a seal that supposably was the right fit).

So I’m thinking Ill get this replacement distributor put in, if it leaks a bit, meh.. But if it IS possible to replace the inner seal, then I'll get it done.
Just that I’ve heard different stories regarding the inner seals, and wanted to see if anyone has actually successfully replaced the seal.

Oh and on a side note, apparently there is a brand new distributor (ae82) at Toyota, for like $366+ gst I think it was.
Normally they are $2000 incl, but this ones been on the shelf for a while and apparently they want to get rid of it. Makes you wonder what sort of mark up the put on brand new parts.....

(and no, im not getting the new part. screw that, im after a temporary partial fix, so i can use the car for afew months then sell it)

[Mr Revhead]

well if you do change ya mind and go for the new one let me know... i bet i can beat that price

[Al]

Yup he saved me around $50 on 3 parts for my sw20

chur warwick

[aesc]

Isnt there an O-ring within the distributor housing to stop oil leaking from the distributor?

[Mokoro]

Isnt there an O-ring within the distributor housing to stop oil leaking from the distributor?

Yeah, theres an O ring, what I would call the outer seal.. Its easy as piss to replace. Its located on the shaft that goes into the motor.
(you know what i mean)
The replacement distrubutor needs that o ring to be replaced, which im doing. The real bastard is the inner seal.
I just hope that the shaft isnt as worn in the replacement one as my original