Distributor Install Problem
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Distributor Install Problem
An old topic I know but please see my post in the C3 section. Advice would be appreciated.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=853788
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=853788
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Re: Distributor Install Problem (paul67)
It'll go with the rotor aligned with the #1 tower, but you have to fiddle with the oil pump drive shaft (use a long screwdriver to position it) so the bottom of the distributor gear aligns with the slot in the shaft so it'll drop into place. Don't "Bubba" the wire indexing as one of the posters suggested. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: Hilton Head SC
Re: Distributor Install Problem (JohnZ)
Could not agree more, get everything indexed correctly! Have you verified TDC and your timing marks? If you can't seem to get the oil pump lined up, you could try this trick. Way back when, we used to ignore the oil pump slot, put the distributor in the right tooth and then bump the engine around while putting a little downward pressure in the distributor until it dropped in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 5,401
Likes: 986
From: Itasca IL
Re: Distributor Install Problem (paul67)
Paul,
Is the distributor gear on correctly? The divot on the gear should align with the tip of the rotor when installed correctly. If it is 180 degrees out of phase, you will have difficulty timing it to 10 degrees without the vacuum can hitting the intake runner or the coil bracket (I forget which)
Is the distributor gear on correctly? The divot on the gear should align with the tip of the rotor when installed correctly. If it is 180 degrees out of phase, you will have difficulty timing it to 10 degrees without the vacuum can hitting the intake runner or the coil bracket (I forget which)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Distributor Install Problem (Nicky71)
Good call Nicky. After six hours of painting my God-daughter's new basement room in five colours I got back to the Vette. (I thought disco was dead.) BTW, no parents allowed in that room. God, six-year-olds can be so grown up!
The dimple was 180 degrees off. So I swapped that around. And re-adjusted the oil pump again to compensate. This job is getting painful and a little blood along the way. That distributor hold-down bolt is...how do you get it back in? In any case I closed down for the day short of re-attaching the tach drive and all the shielding. But I did the static timing (10 degrees) and you can see the outcome in the pic. I am pretty pleased with the outcome as it is reasonably centred compared with where I started bang up against the intake runner. Tomorrow I will replace the Holley power valve that I blew on my recent 6 degree timing experiment and hopefully hit the road for a Club road cruise on Sunday.
My thanks to you and the likes of JohnZ for putting up with neophytes like me as we fumble along with these old cars. Much appreciated!
The dimple was 180 degrees off. So I swapped that around. And re-adjusted the oil pump again to compensate. This job is getting painful and a little blood along the way. That distributor hold-down bolt is...how do you get it back in? In any case I closed down for the day short of re-attaching the tach drive and all the shielding. But I did the static timing (10 degrees) and you can see the outcome in the pic. I am pretty pleased with the outcome as it is reasonably centred compared with where I started bang up against the intake runner. Tomorrow I will replace the Holley power valve that I blew on my recent 6 degree timing experiment and hopefully hit the road for a Club road cruise on Sunday.
My thanks to you and the likes of JohnZ for putting up with neophytes like me as we fumble along with these old cars. Much appreciated!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Epsom Victoria
Re: Distributor Install Problem (paul67)
Paul re the blown power valve in the Holly, there is a cheap anti blow out kit (about 9 bucks) available from the likes of JEGS.
The next time you have to replace a power valve spend an extra half hour and fit the anti blow out kit. It will be the last power valve you have to replace.
The next time you have to replace a power valve spend an extra half hour and fit the anti blow out kit. It will be the last power valve you have to replace.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
Re: Distributor Install Problem (Aussi-66)
Paul re the blown power valve in the Holly, there is a cheap anti blow out kit (about 9 bucks) available from the likes of JEGS.
The next time you have to replace a power valve spend an extra half hour and fit the anti blow out kit. It will be the last power valve you have to replace.
The next time you have to replace a power valve spend an extra half hour and fit the anti blow out kit. It will be the last power valve you have to replace.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: close to Frankfurt/Main Germany
You don't need to unscrew that holddown screw completely.....just a few turns and then you can draw back the clamp and pull the dist.
....put it on with the dist off the car....that's the easiest way.
....put it on with the dist off the car....that's the easiest way.
1974, allignment, c3, corvette, distributer, distributor, install, installing, oil, problem, pump, shaft
