Distributor just won't go down - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigcarguy · 07-03-2002, 09:58 PM

I can get my distributor to go in almost all the way but it just seems to stop about a 1/4" from the manifold. I played around with it until I got frustrate and just decided to ask someone more experienced than me to help. Are there any tips for getting it to go all the way down? This is only the second time I've dealt with distributors so any help is appreciated.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-03-2002, 10:05 PM

They can be tricky..... It sounds like the bottom of the distributer where it engages the oil pump is not aligned. You just have to pick it up and turn the roter and play with it untill oyu get it to slip in. What ever you do don't force it..... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

Slammed67 · 07-03-2002, 10:14 PM

Just click the starter a few times and turn the engine over (with the ignition disconnected of course)..... it'll drop right down.

robby · 07-03-2002, 11:12 PM

Hey! I had this happen to me earlier in the year and I tried everything! What I had was a 307 that I was putting together from parts I had already. What happened is that I had a big block pump shaft in it and it sounds like what is happening to you. I had to take off the pan and put in a new small block shaft and it dropped in no problem. Good luck.

robby · 07-03-2002, 11:14 PM

also I figured this out by measuring up from the shaft to the manifold top edge.

71BBK10 · 07-03-2002, 11:16 PM

i'm with wes and slammed on this one.

junkyardjohn · 07-04-2002, 01:50 AM

MAYBE I'M MISSING SOMETHING REAL OBVIOS HERE. THE BLADE THAT ENGAGES YOUR OIL PUMP DRIVESHAFT IS EVEN (PERPENDICULAR OR ON THE SAME PLANE) WITH THE ROTOR ON CHEVY DISTRIBUTORS. SO -- IF YOUR #1 CYL. IS AT TDC (ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE) YOU'LL WANT YOUR ROTOR TO BE POINTED AT #1 CYL. THE SLOT FOR YOUR OIL PUMP SHAFT WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE SLOT POINTED AT #1 CYL. ALSO. JUST TAKE A LONG BLADED REG. SCREWDRIVER, STICK IT DOWN THE DIST. HOLE IN THE INTAKE & TURN THE SHAFT TILL IT'S POINTED AT #1. PUT THE DIST. IN WITH THE ROTOR POINTED AT ABOUT #3 AND AS IT DROPS DOWN, & THE HELIX GEARS ON THE DIST. SHAFT ENGAGE WITH THE CAM GEAR,IT WILL TURN TO #1 AS IT DROPS DOWN.

Quote:

Just click the starter a few times and turn the engine over (with the ignition disconnected of course)..... it'll drop right down.

W T F IS THAT ????? THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN AWFUL QUICK WAY TO GET PIECES OF DIST. & CAM GEAR TEETH IN YOUR OIL PAN. I HAVE A PRIMING TOOL THAT I MADE BY CUTTING UP AN OLD POINTS TYPE DIST & REMOVING THE GEAR , THAT I ALWAYS USE, BUT A SCREWDRIVER WORKS ALSO.

hanssolo · 07-04-2002, 09:16 AM

Just take a long screwdriver and put it in the drive rod slot and turn it to get alignment.

robby · 07-04-2002, 06:54 PM

I agree with all of the above as long as you can rule out a big block pump driveshaft. They are different due to deck height. When I took mine out it was longer. When I put the correct shaft in it was lickety split! Good luck.

07-03-2002, 10:05 PM	#2
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	They can be tricky..... It sounds like the bottom of the distributer where it engages the oil pump is not aligned. You just have to pick it up and turn the roter and play with it untill oyu get it to slip in. What ever you do don't force it..... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

07-03-2002, 11:12 PM	#4
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	Hey! I had this happen to me earlier in the year and I tried everything! What I had was a 307 that I was putting together from parts I had already. What happened is that I had a big block pump shaft in it and it sounds like what is happening to you. I had to take off the pan and put in a new small block shaft and it dropped in no problem. Good luck. __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

07-03-2002, 11:14 PM	#5
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	also I figured this out by measuring up from the shaft to the manifold top edge. __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

07-03-2002, 11:16 PM	#6
71BBK10 Teufelhunden Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Camp Pendelton Ca Posts: 572	i'm with wes and slammed on this one. __________________ 1971 K10 lwb fleetside 402 T350 205

07-04-2002, 09:16 AM	#8
hanssolo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: central Ill. USA Posts: 447	Just take a long screwdriver and put it in the drive rod slot and turn it to get alignment. __________________ 69 C10 longbed: 357c.i. /TH400/3.73s/AC/ beige primer/saving $ for paint ______________________________

07-03-2002, 09:58 PM	#1
bigcarguy Finally a Bulldawg Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 220	Distributor just won't go down I can get my distributor to go in almost all the way but it just seems to stop about a 1/4" from the manifold. I played around with it until I got frustrate and just decided to ask someone more experienced than me to help. Are there any tips for getting it to go all the way down? This is only the second time I've dealt with distributors so any help is appreciated. __________________ Ah yes, the college life. School all morning, work all night, study when ya can. Uh...

07-03-2002, 10:14 PM	#3
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Just click the starter a few times and turn the engine over (with the ignition disconnected of course)..... it'll drop right down. __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

07-04-2002, 06:54 PM	#9
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	I agree with all of the above as long as you can rule out a big block pump driveshaft. They are different due to deck height. When I took mine out it was longer. When I put the correct shaft in it was lickety split! Good luck. __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)



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