distributor question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 422
Likes: 3
From: Oxford MI
distributor question
I have replaced my original 350/350 with a 400 small block. I am adding all of the standard corvette parts to this new engine including the original distributor. My question regards the fit of the distributor into the intake manifold. I had a vintage z28 302 aluminum manifold on my 350 and have replaced it with the original cast iron manifold. The distributor seems too loose at the manifold, it was snug in the aluminum manifold. Is this a normal fit? thanks for any feedback.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 422
Likes: 3
From: Oxford MI
I'm referring to the fit between the manifold and the distributor housing without the hold down clamp. My experience is that this is always a close fit. This is not the case with my situation, the distributor has room to move in the hole so I'm not sure it's centered when I clamp it down.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
If your block was decked you may either need a slip collar distributor or if the gap isn't that big you can use the double gasket trick. You don't want to force it completely down if it doesn't want to go, it will chew the gears up.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
I'm referring to the fit between the manifold and the distributor housing without the hold down clamp. My experience is that this is always a close fit. This is not the case with my situation, the distributor has room to move in the hole so I'm not sure it's centered when I clamp it down.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 422
Likes: 3
From: Oxford MI
Thanks everyone. I think bluedawg hit it on the head. I did have the heads cut to improve the compression ratio. I think what I am seeing is that the housing is not seating on the manifold surface. I am experimenting with a combination of shims and gaskets to try to get something that looks reasonable.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Drop it down the hole, and measure the gap with a feeler gauge. Just add enogh shims to insure the body does not bottom out. A tad high is better than binding.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 422
Likes: 3
From: Oxford MI
Thanks for the replies. I am fully engaged with the pump, the distributor housing does not sit on manifold. The concern I have is that as I add shims to make sure it does not bottom out on the pump shaft I lose the pilot diameter on the housing and the distributor can move laterally in the hole. maybe it does not matter, I'm just being cautious not to damage anything in theis new engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Thanks for the replies. I am fully engaged with the pump, the distributor housing does not sit on manifold. The concern I have is that as I add shims to make sure it does not bottom out on the pump shaft I lose the pilot diameter on the housing and the distributor can move laterally in the hole. maybe it does not matter, I'm just being cautious not to damage anything in theis new engine.