Having Problems Installing Distributor
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 312
Likes: 64
From: Henry county ohio
OP. As mentioned earlier, try turning the oil pump drive to better line up with the distributor shaft. Most likely scenario, is as you stuff the distributor, it turns due to the helix cut and the slot doesn't line up when it gets down to the oil pump.
I've never bumped the motor over when installing a distributor, just dilly-dallied with it till it went in.
Good luck
Jeff
I've never bumped the motor over when installing a distributor, just dilly-dallied with it till it went in.
Good luck
Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
After going back to post #1 it reminded me of an issue on this forum yrs ago.
A poster had just bought a new Intake. Seems the hole for the dizzy was a little on the tight side due to being an off-brand.
Can't remember the final result. Maybe a little grinding here & there.
Is this your issue, new Intake?
A poster had just bought a new Intake. Seems the hole for the dizzy was a little on the tight side due to being an off-brand.
Can't remember the final result. Maybe a little grinding here & there.
Is this your issue, new Intake?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,850
Likes: 142
From: Tampa, Fl.
OP. As mentioned earlier, try turning the oil pump drive to better line up with the distributor shaft. Most likely scenario, is as you stuff the distributor, it turns due to the helix cut and the slot doesn't line up when it gets down to the oil pump.
I've never bumped the motor over when installing a distributor, just dilly-dallied with it till it went in.
Good luck
Jeff
I've never bumped the motor over when installing a distributor, just dilly-dallied with it till it went in.
Good luck
Jeff
Also, OP could be pushing down too hard on distributor, resulting in the oil pump drive pin actually turning the top of the oil pump shaft as he bumps it, instead of engaging. Generally, they just fall in.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,090
Likes: 4,015
From: New Braunfels Texas
I have never installed a distributor and bumped the engine to get it settled in. Ever.
I stab it mulitple times going around each tooth until it falls in......then I look to see where the rotor is pointing. Turn the pump driveshaft with a long screwstick the direction the rotor needs to go....if you are going clockwise, stop a little short to account for the helix.
I suggest you do this now.....to see if the damn thing falls in anywhere...
Jebby
I stab it mulitple times going around each tooth until it falls in......then I look to see where the rotor is pointing. Turn the pump driveshaft with a long screwstick the direction the rotor needs to go....if you are going clockwise, stop a little short to account for the helix.
I suggest you do this now.....to see if the damn thing falls in anywhere...
Jebby
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,090
Likes: 4,015
From: New Braunfels Texas
Jebby
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 405
From: Brampton, Ontario Canada
After going back to post #1 it reminded me of an issue on this forum yrs ago.
A poster had just bought a new Intake. Seems the hole for the dizzy was a little on the tight side due to being an off-brand.
Can't remember the final result. Maybe a little grinding here & there.
Is this your issue, new Intake?
A poster had just bought a new Intake. Seems the hole for the dizzy was a little on the tight side due to being an off-brand.
Can't remember the final result. Maybe a little grinding here & there.
Is this your issue, new Intake?
I have never installed a distributor and bumped the engine to get it settled in. Ever.
I stab it mulitple times going around each tooth until it falls in......then I look to see where the rotor is pointing. Turn the pump driveshaft with a long screwstick the direction the rotor needs to go....if you are going clockwise, stop a little short to account for the helix.
I suggest you do this now.....to see if the damn thing falls in anywhere...
Jebby
I stab it mulitple times going around each tooth until it falls in......then I look to see where the rotor is pointing. Turn the pump driveshaft with a long screwstick the direction the rotor needs to go....if you are going clockwise, stop a little short to account for the helix.
I suggest you do this now.....to see if the damn thing falls in anywhere...
Jebby
OP. As mentioned earlier, try turning the oil pump drive to better line up with the distributor shaft. Most likely scenario, is as you stuff the distributor, it turns due to the helix cut and the slot doesn't line up when it gets down to the oil pump.
I've never bumped the motor over when installing a distributor, just dilly-dallied with it till it went in.
Good luck
Jeff
I've never bumped the motor over when installing a distributor, just dilly-dallied with it till it went in.
Good luck
Jeff
Thanks for the help guys.
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Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,090
Likes: 4,015
From: New Braunfels Texas
The way to solve this is to remove the gear and chamfer....
I have seen this quite a few times, especially on MSD stuff, so it is worth checking....
Post your findings....
Jebby
Last edited by Jebbysan; Mar 26, 2021 at 04:38 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 569
From: Wisconsin
I have never installed a distributor and bumped the engine to get it settled in. Ever.
I stab it mulitple times going around each tooth until it falls in......then I look to see where the rotor is pointing. Turn the pump driveshaft with a long screwstick the direction the rotor needs to go....if you are going clockwise, stop a little short to account for the helix.
I suggest you do this now.....to see if the damn thing falls in anywhere...
Jebby
I stab it mulitple times going around each tooth until it falls in......then I look to see where the rotor is pointing. Turn the pump driveshaft with a long screwstick the direction the rotor needs to go....if you are going clockwise, stop a little short to account for the helix.
I suggest you do this now.....to see if the damn thing falls in anywhere...
Jebby
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 405
From: Brampton, Ontario Canada
I haven’t stabbed a dizzy since the 80’s, but you describe exactly what I remember. Get that thing to drop in wherever it will go. Then where the rotor is pointing is your #1 spark plug wire. Sometimes you get lucky and #1 location is right where you want it. If not estimate how far backwards you need to turn the pump shaft, pull the dizzy, turn the pump shaft and drop the dizzy back in. Don’t think I ever had to do it more than twice to get it where I wanted. It really doesn’t matter where your #1 ends up on the cap—if your plug wires are long enough to reach.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 569
From: Wisconsin
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 189
Likes: 54
From: Virginia
Have you compared the gear on the old with the new distributor to see if it looks the same?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
Likes: 789
From: Chapel Hill NC
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Strictly an amateur here. Had to "clock" my distributor due to a number of bubba issues. the vacuum advance and tack cable vs the firewall are issues when installing the distributor. I try to have the wiring as close to factory position as possible to make it easier for myself and the next guy with future work..Used the screw driver method.
As precisely mentioned, just because the distributor is new doesn't guarantee its going to fit.
As precisely mentioned, just because the distributor is new doesn't guarantee its going to fit.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
The distributor drive gear is helical (curved tooth), so the gear will want to rotate the shaft as it engages with the cam gear. You need to account for that amount of rotation when you insert the distributor in the block, so the drive gear pin and oil pump shaft slot line up once the gears are in final position. Practice makes perfect.
I agree with a prior post that you should practice the installation process with the OLD distributor. You KNOW that will assemble well with your engine. Once you have confidence with installing the old distributor, try it again with the new one.
I agree with a prior post that you should practice the installation process with the OLD distributor. You KNOW that will assemble well with your engine. Once you have confidence with installing the old distributor, try it again with the new one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 632
From: Thunder Bay
The distributor drive gear is helical (curved tooth), so the gear will want to rotate the shaft as it engages with the cam gear. You need to account for that amount of rotation when you insert the distributor in the block, so the drive gear pin and oil pump shaft slot line up once the gears are in final position. Practice makes perfect.
I agree with a prior post that you should practice the installation process with the OLD distributor. You KNOW that will assemble well with your engine. Once you have confidence with installing the old distributor, try it again with the new one.
I agree with a prior post that you should practice the installation process with the OLD distributor. You KNOW that will assemble well with your engine. Once you have confidence with installing the old distributor, try it again with the new one.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 97
If you have no luck.....inspect the inside of the distributor gear....the part the receives the oil pump driveshaft.....in fact, get another driveshaft and test fit it into the gear.....does it go right in? If not....sometimes replacement gears have no “leader” or chamfer to receive this.....the shaft will sit slightly cockeyed in the hole and no way will it take the shaft ( he said take the shaft LOL).....
The way to solve this is to remove the gear and chamfer....
I have seen this quite a few times, especially on MSD stuff, so it is worth checking....
Post your findings....
Jebby
The way to solve this is to remove the gear and chamfer....
I have seen this quite a few times, especially on MSD stuff, so it is worth checking....
Post your findings....
Jebby
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 523
From: home
Another suggestion: remove the gear and install the distributor without the gear and see if it fits correctly. Look down the distributor hole to see which direction the oil pump shaft faces, rotate the distributor shaft the same direction and see if it fits. If it does, there is an issue with the gear.