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Help! Re-installing distributor

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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 09:16 PM
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Default Help! Re-installing distributor

Guys

I am in the process of finishing the reseal of my intake on my 80 L48...
I cant get the distributor back in. I marked the rotor position on the distributor and the distributor position on the intake but I cant get it to seat properly. I cant get the rotor back to the right spot. There is a slot in the bottom of the distributor that I cannot get to line up with the corresponding part down near the worm gear. Seems to be at the wrong angle. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 09:32 PM
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You might just want to try a good wiggle. The slotted part you see inside is the oil pump drive shaft. It may have moved some during your intake seal but you should be able to just wiggle it a little at the rotor while pushing down and get it to slide in.

W
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 09:35 PM
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With a long screwdriver you can turn the oil pump(the slot at the bottom).
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 09:40 PM
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Long screw driver works for me.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 09:48 PM
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hold the dist in the desired install position, notice the direction of the grove,
at the bottom of the dist. .... now line up the slot of the oil pump with a long screwdriver as suggested. 69VETT
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 09:59 PM
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Thanks guys I will give it a try..
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by DWncchs
With a long screwdriver you can turn the oil pump(the slot at the bottom).
Use the screwdriver to turn the pump shaft a little bit at a time until the distributor drops in at the correct position.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 03:07 AM
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Originally Posted by DWncchs
With a long screwdriver you can turn the oil pump(the slot at the bottom).


What your looking at in the hole is the top of the oil pump drive shaft. It free wheels (just spins).
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 05:39 AM
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or you can go get an oil pump primer tool and use that as well to turn the oil shaft.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 02:20 PM
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Drop me an e-mail request for my "How to Install your Distributor" tech paper - it covers the technique I call "Walking the Distributor." You can install the distributor without using a screwdriver or any other tool:
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 12:04 AM
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Look at the pitch of the distributor gear. If you line up the oil pump shaft slot perfectly with what you want the distributor rotor position to be, it usually will not engage the slot. I usually advance the slot a little and it drops right in. But when I have had a stubborn one, I just line the distributor up where I want it, hold the distributor down It will engage the gear and the rotor will turn), and have someone rotate the engine. It will drop in when it lines up with the slot during the rotation.

Good luck,
Dan
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