Distributor will not go in! Ack!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 1
From: Enter Post Count Here
Distributor will not go in! Ack!
When I go to stab it, it will mesh into the cam, but it won't slide all the way down. We've determined that the housing is hitting the block and just doesn't quite line up.
I finally broke down and re-dissasembled the distributor and it will go in in two pieces...the housing will fit in, or the shaft will fit in. They won't fit in as a couple.
I'm not hitting the oil-drive shaft yet, I tested this with white-lithium grease on the bottom of the distributor and it isn't getting wiped off and there is none on the oil-drive shaft.
It seems like it should be so easy, just slide it in, but its binding...Any ideas?
I finally broke down and re-dissasembled the distributor and it will go in in two pieces...the housing will fit in, or the shaft will fit in. They won't fit in as a couple.
I'm not hitting the oil-drive shaft yet, I tested this with white-lithium grease on the bottom of the distributor and it isn't getting wiped off and there is none on the oil-drive shaft.
It seems like it should be so easy, just slide it in, but its binding...Any ideas?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 602
Likes: 1
From: Hacienda Heights, Ca. USA
Re: Distributor will not go in! Ack! (NoWorries)
When you put the distributor back in if the oil pump drive is not perfectly lined up it won't slide all the way down. What you need to do is go ahead and put the distributor down and line up the gear teeth so that when it does go all the way down it'll be in the no.1 firing position. Then crank the motor a little and the distributor will slide all the way down when the oil pump drive slot lines up with the drive on the bottom of the distributor. Then bring up the No.1 piston to the firing position and see if you dropped it in the proper position. Hope this makes sense.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Distributor will not go in! Ack! (NoWorries)
I just replied to your subsequent post, but it appears that you may have re-installed the drive gear upside down (don't ask me how I know!) The gear should face the upper housing with the shaft below. If it's the other way, it doesn't go in and yes, forcing it could break a tooth.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 1
From: Enter Post Count Here
Re: Distributor will not go in! Ack! (SunCr)
Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. 
I switched the gear around and voila, the distributor dropped right in. It didn't line up with the oil pump shaft yet, but I'm still waiting on a new gear, so I didn't take it that far.
Thanks so much for your reply, I don't know what I would have done without it.
Boy do I feel dumb.
I switched the gear around and voila, the distributor dropped right in. It didn't line up with the oil pump shaft yet, but I'm still waiting on a new gear, so I didn't take it that far.
Thanks so much for your reply, I don't know what I would have done without it.
Boy do I feel dumb.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Distributor will not go in! Ack! (NoWorries)
Glad as I was able to help. I pioneered this bonehead move just this week!
Then, after I figured out that it was on upside down, I put the gear on backwards. That threw my timing curve completely out of whack. Two or three days later I got everything back together and the engine firing right. By the way, the service manual says to point the rotor between the #1 and #8 tower when installing the distributor at TDC. WRONG! Hot Rod Magazine also covers this subject in this month's issue. They say to install the distributor with the rotor facing the #1 tower but with the balancer timing mark cranked back to 5 degrees BTC. WRONG. Mine only fired right with the rotor pointing maybe a tooth past the #1 tower with the engine at TDC. Maybe it's just my motor. Oh well, hope yours fires up nice and smooth.
Then, after I figured out that it was on upside down, I put the gear on backwards. That threw my timing curve completely out of whack. Two or three days later I got everything back together and the engine firing right. By the way, the service manual says to point the rotor between the #1 and #8 tower when installing the distributor at TDC. WRONG! Hot Rod Magazine also covers this subject in this month's issue. They say to install the distributor with the rotor facing the #1 tower but with the balancer timing mark cranked back to 5 degrees BTC. WRONG. Mine only fired right with the rotor pointing maybe a tooth past the #1 tower with the engine at TDC. Maybe it's just my motor. Oh well, hope yours fires up nice and smooth.
