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If you set the oil pump correctly and advance the rotor just slightly as 78 silver 78 says, you'll just drop the distributor in and don't have to mess with bumping the starter while pushing down on dist assembly.
I'm sure that a million other people can probably do this bump-the-starter method without issue, but with my luck I'd shred the dist gear or the cam and I'd rather not do that.
I also know that it's obvious whether or not you engaged the oil pump correctly.
When you pull the distributor, nine times out of ten, you screw up the alignment of the oil pump and when you stab the distributor again, you'll end up off a tooth or more. That's why you have to re-align the pump.
If you set the oil pump correctly and advance the rotor just slightly as 78 silver 78 says, you'll just drop the distributor in and don't have to mess with bumping the starter while pushing down on dist assembly.
I'm sure that a million other people can probably do this bump-the-starter method without issue, but with my luck I'd shred the dist gear or the cam and I'd rather not do that.
That method scares me as well. I just put a socket wrench on the balancer bolt and grunt it over.
I'm pulling my hair out trying to get my new HEI to do ANYTHING at this point.. I swear I've wired everything up correctly...but am getting nothing. The engine just turns over and over.
I'm pulling my hair out trying to get my new HEI to do ANYTHING at this point.. I swear I've wired everything up correctly...but am getting nothing. The engine just turns over and over.
Are you converting from a car with no HEI or just replacing your old dist?
I used the 7 o'clock post for #1 instead of the 5 o'clock and now it's damn near straight. It was my understanding that this was the non-HEI orientation, but I guess this distributor is setup that way anywho?
Oh well, I know it was just an aesthetic thing, but I sure feel better now.
I'm pulling my hair out trying to get my new HEI to do ANYTHING at this point.. I swear I've wired everything up correctly...but am getting nothing. The engine just turns over and over.
I'm not trying to be a smart azz but, there have been a few times here where someone has posted a similar statement and the answer was to install the rotor!
Not that this thread keeps going and going..........
BUT.....I just wanted to add what no one has stated:
The distributer gear is spiraled. Therefore, when everyone says to line up the rotor to #1. In reality, you need to line it up even further to make up for the spiral effect.(The distributor rotates as it goes in)
When you remove the distributor, as it goes up, it is spiralling the pump shaft ever so slightly. This is why most people are scratching their heads when they go to put it back in.
I don't want to seem ungrateful for any advice given, but the thing about the oil pump is it's incredibly obvious when you haven't engaged it correctly. As I mentioned, the dizzy flange will stand off the surface of the manifold by about 3/8" if it's not engaged correctly. There's really no way for the oil pump to skew the rotor position because you either engage it or not.
The slot of the oil pump drive can rotate - easily. It can turn slightly and while you are seated properly, your #1 can point in some odd directions. That's all I'm saying.
The slot of the oil pump drive can rotate - easily. It can turn slightly and while you are seated properly, your #1 can point in some odd directions. That's all I'm saying.
Sorry to disagree, but the rotor orientation should be determined by the cam gear not the oil pump. I can certainly understand how someone might stab and stab and stab the rotor in different orientations trying to line it up with the oil pump, but that's really putting the cart before the horse. The way I did it was to mark the #1 post position on the distributor body and then make another mark 2.25" CCW from that position. Align the rotor with the second mark, then stab it in. Chances are you won't be lined up with the oil pump, BUT you are already meshed with the cam gear so the rotor alignment has been established. At this point just turn over the engine and at some point the dizzy will drop the rest of the way down. Now just reset yourself to 0-12* BTDC and theoretically you will be pointing at post #1.
Bottom line is simply do not let the oil pump shaft position dictate where you stab the dizzy.
Sorry to disagree, but the rotor orientation should be determined by the cam gear not the oil pump. I can certainly understand how someone might stab and stab and stab the rotor in different orientations trying to line it up with the oil pump, but that's really putting the cart before the horse. The way I did it was to mark the #1 post position on the distributor body and then make another mark 2.25" CCW from that position. Align the rotor with the second mark, then stab it in. Chances are you won't be lined up with the oil pump, BUT you are already meshed with the cam gear so the rotor alignment has been established. At this point just turn over the engine and at some point the dizzy will drop the rest of the way down. Now just reset yourself to 0-12* BTDC and theoretically you will be pointing at post #1.
Bottom line is simply do not let the oil pump shaft position dictate where you stab the dizzy.
No problem here with someone disagreeing. I just do things a bit different than you I suppose.
I generally set TDC before removing the distributor, make my marks, then pull it. If the pump twisted on me a bit, I use a long screwdriver to get it right and drop the distributer. Most of the time, my timing is damn close before fine tuning. I just prefer not to turn it over with stuff capable of flopping around.