I'm in the process of a engine rebuild on my 460, and I am to the point of installing the distributor. I got everything marked, but the problem is, I can't get the oil pump shaft to line up with the distributor. I have tried turning it, wiggling it around, but no luck. The biggest problem is the shaft falls to one side of the hole or another, and I can't get it to move into the center for the distributor to slide in. Any tips on how to get around this?

 

Is the motor in the truck ? If it is try bumping the starter while holding down on it. If it's still out on the stand, I wouldn't bother yet, just put it in prime the pump then use the starter.

 

I don't want to crank the engine because it would then be off tdc, making the timing work a nightmare

 

SO what? You just move it back after you get the dist. to drop.

 

You didn't say if the engine was on a stand or in the truck, but I had the same problem. I just rotated the engine stand a little and tried to get the rod in the middle of the hole with a long screwdriver. It does take a little fiddling, but you will get it. If it is in the truck, just put a little oil on the end of the distributor to make it as slick as you can. It will be more apt to slide on with a little lubing.

 

The engine is on a stand. I turned it sideways yesterday, and got the distributor in, but it was 2 teeth off tdc, so i had to pull it. Haven't gotten it back in since

 

You may just have to turn the crank a few degrees. It is troublesome, but it will slide in eventually. Just try not to turn the engine stand over out of anger. I almost did that a few times during this build.

 

I used a small o-ring to center it in the hole and slide the distributor right on...

 

O ring didnt cause any problems?

 

Not at all...still on there in tact...Use vitron o-ring, besides that only issue that could be had is it coming apart and falling into the oil pan to live the rest of it's life.

 

Put some thick grease on the shaft to center it in the hole. The grease dissolves once the dizzy is on the shaft and doesn't cause any problems. I used axle grease but any oil based grease works.