Shell plate not indexing on Dillon 650

[Melnibonean]

Hi all,

So tonight I decided to switch calibers and start loading my pistol rounds for tomorrow's range day. Something I've done hundreds if not thousands of times, when I noticed my Indexer Return Spring on the floor.



Not having a spare handy, I mcguyvered a fix by bending a new loop out, then using a straightened paper clip as a handle to help me reattach the spring. I then attached it to the front post on the link arm first, ran the spring against the shaft behind the primer seating assembly, and around the back to the metal post. Dillon had posted this as a temp fix for this problem. Testing it out a few times resulted in the ring indexer moving correctly and the Index Pawl moving merrily as it always did.



However, once I installed the shell plate and tested it, the plate would not move. I can hear the pawl moving underneath and the Index ball and spring are all there and in place, but the shell plate won't move.

Am I missing something?

 

[ipscgraz]

How tight is the shell plate centre bolt??

 

[Melnibonean]

How tight is the shell plate centre bolt??

I've run it down to max (where I can no longer tighten it) then backed off on it in 1/2 turn segments until fully unscrewed. At no point in the process of backing it off does the shell plate move

 

[UR2X3M4ME]

Remove shellplate and make sure index pawl is properly oriented and its spring is not AWOL (pn 18 & 19).

My bet is that your indexing ring (pn 20) went kaput - a common issue if the shellplate bolt was too tight: the plastic ring seem to be a sacrificial part if too much resistance. Take the indexing ring out and inspect the ring integrity: it is probably cracked near the pawl and spring housing. Put 2 fingers in the ring and gently pull apart: if broken or cracked, you will see the gap. Try it and report back.

 

[Steggs]

Since it's difficult to visualize what your up against you should try giving Dillon Tech Support a call when you're in front of your machine. They'll walk you through it in great detail.

 

[Melnibonean]

UPDATE:

So this morning I disassembled everything. The indexing ring was fine. I then compared the pawl and the pawl spring to the ones in my spare parts kit: they were the same, so I ruled out the pawl wearing away and not making contact with the bottom of the shell plate. I decided to give everything a good cleaning (4 years worth of powder, lube, and gunk) before I called Dillon. While blasting some parts with brake clean, I noticed the pawl spring EXPAND (grow slightly longer) right before my eyes. We're talking a few mms here, but I noticed it. I also noticed that once clean, it felt *springier*. So I decided to reassemble everything again one last time and lo and behold, the shell plate indexed properly.

So it would appear that the problem was the pawl spring had gotten covered in enough gunk that it didn't allow the pawl itself to rise up high enough to engage the bottom of the shell plate. Once cleaned, I proceeded to load my ammo for tonight's trip to the range.

Let that be a lesson. Clean your presses gents.

Thanks everyone for your help.