Distributor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2022
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Distributor
Just put in new engine. Got everything in looks good .went to put distributor in it stops about 3/8 inch from going in.everything lines up engine top dead center. Gear greased up points to number one . But won’t go the last 3/8 inch.can anyone help me with this or had same problem.don’t want to force it might never get it out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,389
Likes: 2,574
From: Really Central IL Illinois
Happens all of the time to everyone. The slot in the oil pump shaft is not aligned with the distributor. Take the distributor out and note the orientation of the lug in the bottom gear. With a long screwdriver or paint stick or similar tool, turn the pump shaft until the lug will align with the slot when headed down in the correct position. It may take a couple of tries. If it doesn't work, set the distributor in and crank the motor over and you will see it drop. Now find TDC again and verify your rotor is pointing to number one.
Ron
Ron
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
The slot on your oil pump drive gear got out of alignment. Gat a long, large flat blade screwdriver and try turning the gear a bit in either direction. Then put the distributor back in. Repeat as needed until it goes all the way in.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Port Orchard, WA
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St. Jude Donor '25
Most likely the oil pump drive needs to be lined up with the cross pin in the bottom of the distributor. I would probably just click the key slightly to crank the engine a bit. But this is probably the more accepted way to do it:
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/06...vy-distributor
I would also email Lars at V8fastcars@MSN.com and request his distributor installation, how to set timing and vacuum advance papers.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/06...vy-distributor
I would also email Lars at V8fastcars@MSN.com and request his distributor installation, how to set timing and vacuum advance papers.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Camp Verde AZ
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Your distributor is not engaging in the oil pump drive shaft slot. Look in the bottom of the distributor gear. See that tang? it must engage in a slot on the drive shaft slot. You can see the slot/shaft with a good light looking into the distributor hole.
Here is something to try.
With a paint stir stick or long screwdriver, make the drive shaft slot align exactly front/back 0*/180*.
Put engine at TDC #1 firing position.
See that dimple on the distributor gear? Align it so it is pointed at exactly 180* Towards front of engine.
if you drop the dizzy straight down, as the dizzy gear catches the cam gear, it should rotate the dizzy shaft into alignment with the drive shaft slot.
You can also always drop the dizzy in to where ever you want the rotor to point and rotate the engine by hand and the dizzy will eventually align with the drive shaft and drop the rest of the way down.
Doug
Here is something to try.
With a paint stir stick or long screwdriver, make the drive shaft slot align exactly front/back 0*/180*.
Put engine at TDC #1 firing position.
See that dimple on the distributor gear? Align it so it is pointed at exactly 180* Towards front of engine.
if you drop the dizzy straight down, as the dizzy gear catches the cam gear, it should rotate the dizzy shaft into alignment with the drive shaft slot.
You can also always drop the dizzy in to where ever you want the rotor to point and rotate the engine by hand and the dizzy will eventually align with the drive shaft and drop the rest of the way down.
Doug
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,824
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From: Langhorne, Pa.
It sounds like the distributor male end on the very bottom of the distributor is not aligning/mating up with the oil pump shaft female end in the engine..
Could you share some info on engine type/size? (I’m assuming s/b chevy?) what brand/make of oil pump, intake manifold & distributor?
Thanks
Could you share some info on engine type/size? (I’m assuming s/b chevy?) what brand/make of oil pump, intake manifold & distributor?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,779
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Did anybody mention the oil pump shaft? :-)
If you are so inclined, you can lift the distributor up just enough to disengage the lower gear and walk it one tooth clockwise and drop it back down until it engages the pump shaft. When that happens keep lifting and walking one tooth at a time and drop it down each time and the oil pump will follow. Repeat this until you come back around to the correct #1 position, if you miss the correct position just go around again until you are good.
Once you get the hang or it you will never do it any other way.
If you are so inclined, you can lift the distributor up just enough to disengage the lower gear and walk it one tooth clockwise and drop it back down until it engages the pump shaft. When that happens keep lifting and walking one tooth at a time and drop it down each time and the oil pump will follow. Repeat this until you come back around to the correct #1 position, if you miss the correct position just go around again until you are good.
Once you get the hang or it you will never do it any other way.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
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I have the engine on top dead. I have put the slot faceing straight forward. Took dist Aline the slot still wound drop in. Ever time I can feel it hit the cam gear it turns.then it takes a lot to get it out., I can’t turn engine over because no starter.just got engine in yesterday.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,389
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From: Really Central IL Illinois
tbarb's suggestion works, takes a little time, but works. If you are impatient, hit the key and tap the motor back around to TDC. The distributor will drop in. Just make sure you are on the compression stroke of #1 when you are done.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Camp Verde AZ
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3/4" socket (if a big block), on the damper bolt and 18" breaker bar will turn the engine over easily if no plugs in the heads.
Doug
Doug
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Instructor
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I want to thank everyone.for their help but diss still won’t go in. I have tried every suggestion and no go.i can’t turn the engine over because no starter.is there a way to tell if the diss is going over the oil shaft.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 545
From: Langhorne, Pa.
If it’s not dropping in then something mechanical must be causing a hang up? Soooo, could you please share some info on parts being used have any of these parts been together/married in this engine before ?
New parts (aluminum dist. VS O.E. Cast Iron) could you share some pics of dist. Gear & shaft drive, is that a replacement gear on the distributor?
P/m me your # I can call you if that helps? ( 6:00PM - 7:00PM) I’ll be recovering from grandkids, will appreciate Car talk:-)…
Chalie
New parts (aluminum dist. VS O.E. Cast Iron) could you share some pics of dist. Gear & shaft drive, is that a replacement gear on the distributor?
P/m me your # I can call you if that helps? ( 6:00PM - 7:00PM) I’ll be recovering from grandkids, will appreciate Car talk:-)…
Chalie
Le Mans Master
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From: I'd like to propose a toast... to internal combustion and wind in the face.
Is the harmonic balancer retained with a bolt or is it just pressed on? If it's bolted how about removing the spark plugs and turning it over with longer ratchet?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Knoxville, TN
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I set my engine to TDC, put the distributor in with the rotor facing the #1 cylinder then bumped the starter until the distributor dropped in. You may need someone on the outside putting downward pressure on the distributor while you bumped the starter. It's really easy.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist