Distributor install questions...

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May 6, 2002 | 03:48 PM

85z51vette

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Racer

Joined: May 1999

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From: Nashville TN

Distributor install questions...

I dropped my distributor in with a new gasket from my gasket set. It looked OK to me, but my dad says he doesn't believe it is seated properly. It has just a very slight "wobble" to it. You can move it side to side just a bit with your hand. My dad is a total car nut and has installed plenty of distributors in his day, and he said he has never had one move as much as mine is. If you tighten the hold down, it obviously stops moving, but my dad said that there shouldn't be any downward force applyed to the oil pump shaft from the distributor. He said I may need a shim of some sort. Again, it doesn't move much, but he doesn't like it. I wouldn't think you would need a shim for a stock application. Was the distributor the same dimensions in '85 and '89? I put '89 aluminum heads on, but I wouldn't think that would change things with the distributor. TIA!

May 7, 2002 | 01:39 AM

85z51vette

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Racer

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From: Nashville TN

Re: Distributor install questions... (85z51vette)

Did I just not word the question right or what?? 21 views and no replys! You guys :sleep: ?? :jester

TTT! :smash:

May 7, 2002 | 01:42 AM

scorp508

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From: Boston, MA

That definitely doesn't sound right. It should be pretty solid when you drop it in.

May 7, 2002 | 02:04 AM

vader86

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Re: (scorp508)

:nono: no wobble

May 7, 2002 | 09:52 AM

Mark 84ltblu

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Re: (vader86)

I agree. There should not be any wobble to it once installed.

May 7, 2002 | 10:41 AM

Corvette0096

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Re: Distributor install questions... (85z51vette)

Soinds like you dont have it dropped in all the way. Oil pump rod might not be lining up for yah.

May 7, 2002 | 04:05 PM

JAKE

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Re: Distributor install questions... (corvette0096)

No wobble should be present. The distributor mounting flange should be flush with the intake manifold. Your problem is the distributor shaft isn't properly indexed with the oil pump drive.

Loosen the hold down clamp and have someone bump the engine while you keep your have lightly on the distributor cap. As you bump, the distributor will drop down.

Jake

May 7, 2002 | 05:17 PM

85z51vette

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Racer

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From: Nashville TN

Re: Distributor install questions... (JAKE)

Quote:

Your problem is the distributor shaft isn't properly indexed with the oil pump drive.

Loosen the hold down clamp and have someone bump the engine while you keep your have lightly on the distributor cap. As you bump, the distributor will drop down.

I thought I had already done this because when I first installed it, it was obvious that it wasn't down all of the way. I didn't have the starter hooked up, so I turned the flywheel with a pair of vice-grips until it dropped down. I thought it went all the way, but could it go more? Maybe my pops is just paranoid. I don't even know that "wobble" is a good word for what its doing...you can just shift it around ever so slightly with your hand. Maybe its the fact that the cam is brand new...that have something to do with it? Thanks for the replys guys! Keep 'em coming!

:cheers: