I bought a new 460 long block for my 79 ford. I just had a heck of a time pulling the distributor out of a 77 Lincoln 460 (involved use of a big hammer) to use in the new long block. I can twist the gear on the lower end and hold the rotor bug and there is some play in it.
My question is how much if any play is acceptable?

Also if I need a new distributor can this one be rebuilt or would it be cheaper and easier to but a new one?

 

if it is a new block, i think that if i had the extra money, i would go through the jegs catalog and buy something new(if i had my way, my truck would have a new msd ignition system, but hey, that is just me), but if not, try to find another, i dont think there should be hardly any play in that. if i remember right, there is a roll pin that goes through the gear and shaft, and that should be all of the play that you have is the clearance there....check it out though. might be a simple fix.

 

The mechanical advance mechanism allows the rotor to move in relation to the bottom gear. You should feel increasing spring pressure the more you twist it, and it should reach a limit. This is perfectly normal.

 

Thanks for the reply Scroob. About 30 minutes after I asked the question I was playing with the distributor and figured it out.
Thanks,
John