Trouble installing distributor

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Apr 27, 2003 | 09:25 PM

Captain Morgan

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From: Westfield Indiana

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Trouble installing distributor

Okay, I borrowed an oil pump primer tool from autozone, pulled the distributor, primed the pump, and now can't get the dist. back in. I made sure I marked the location when fully installed, also marked the location when it stopped turning as I removed it, also marked the location of the slot on the oil pump shaft, BUT THE DIST. WON'T GO BACK IN!!!!!!!!! :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss

help :confused: :confused: :confused:

[edit]Well this is just great. :rolleyes: I hadn't marked the location of the rotor and it turned a little bit. I got the dist. back in, and know the general direction of the rotor, but not the exact spot. This is going to be fun. :rolleyes:

[Modified by Captain Morgan, 8:47 PM 4/27/2003]

Apr 27, 2003 | 10:03 PM

Jvette73

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From: Severna Park Md

Re: Trouble installing distributor (Captain Morgan)

might need to stick a long screwdriver down there and turn the oil pump shaft to a different position. It will engage the dist slot before the dist is all the way down. As the dist goes down the gear turns as it slides into the cam gear. So the oil pump shaft needs to be posistioned slightly counter clockwise of where it will be when the dist is all the way in. Turn the pump shaft back a bit and keep trying. Eventually it will drop down. if yur eyeing it to the installed position before dropping the dist in, it wont go, It needs to start slightly before that final position. it will rotate to final position as gears mesh and rotate down. Keep tryin, you'll get it.

Apr 27, 2003 | 10:05 PM

Jvette73

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From: Severna Park Md

Re: Trouble installing distributor (Jvette73)

Did you turn the motor over while the dist was out? if not you should be able to get into the same position. If not you can always just rotate the dist to get the timing right again.

Apr 27, 2003 | 10:05 PM

SanDiegoPaul

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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!

Re: Trouble installing distributor (Captain Morgan)

Start a notch Clockwise from the mark you have and back the rotor down counterclocwise until it drops down in.

Apr 27, 2003 | 10:32 PM

Captain Morgan

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From: Westfield Indiana

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Re: Trouble installing distributor (SanDiegoPaul)

Ok, it's in, the vette started just fine, but timing is slightly off. I did NOT crank the engine while the dist was out. Timing is normally at 14 at idle, but now it's at 17. It's also usually at 32 - 34 at 3000 RPM but now it's at 37.

Will it hurt anything to just rotate the dist to get timing back in line? Or is my timing mark off if the rotor wasn't at the exact spot as prior to removal? Should I pull the dist back out and try to get timing back to 14, or just rotate the dist as normal?

Not sure why I can't think this through right now, but my brain is fried from me being so frustrated with the vette this weekend.