Try bumping engine with starter while putting downward pressure on dist. -Lucky1
distributor wont go in.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: newberg us
distributor wont go in.
I took the distributor out to put a new one in and now it won't go back in. The original wont either. I just doesn't make sense. does the oil pump have anything to do with it or what. Any help would be great. It's a 77 f-150 2wd with 400 and Automatic. The two distributors lookidentical but neither will go back in the hole again. I did everything right. It was all lined up and everything. Just can't figure it out. PLEASE PLEASE HELP!
Last edited by xtrmbkr; Apr 3, 2003 at 02:51 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
distributor wont go in.
The hex drive on the oil pump shaft is holding it up. If you turn the engine over while giving the distributor a little pressure, it'll drop in. Of course you'll lose your reference unless you had the engine at TDC to start with but you'll still be close as the gear has already meshed with the cam. Also remember that the gears are cut on an angle so you have to lead the dizzy back a little so it drops in in the right place. If you turn the engine over two complete revolutions you'll be back at the same place you started.
Hope this helps.
Greg
Hope this helps.
Greg
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 38
distributor wont go in.
An easier and safer way to re-align the oil pump drive shaft is to simply engage the top of the shaft's hex end with the appropriately sized nut driver (or you could use the correct size 1/4 inch socket and extension--tape the socket to the extension so you don't lose it), and turn the shaft slightly, CW or CCW (makes no difference). Then try inserting the distributor. It may take several iterations of this, but eventually the shaft will be aligned and the distributor will slide home. Assuming you marked/noted the rotor position before removal (and you inserted the distributor so as to achieve this original rotor position--and you did not rotate the engine), timing will only need to be adjusted slightly to achieve factory recommended setting. This works--I've done it several times on my '76 F350 w/ 460, and on a previously owned '70 Merc w/ 429.
New User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9
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From: Peoria, AZ
distributor wont go in.
A Ford racing friend of mine taught me how to deal with this problem a long time ago...
Assuming the hex oil drive shaft is now leaning against the block and therefore preventing the distributor from sitting down on it all the way... Just get a long, skinny screwdriver and get a dab of grease on the end of it. Now, making sure you hang on tight to the screwdriver, try to build up a spacer of grease between the shaft and the block. You may have to get more grease a time or two to be successful. The idea is to get that drive shaft to stand up straight for ya so the distributor drive at the bottom can go over the shaft correctly. There ya go!
One of the scariest things I've ever seen looking down that distributor hole was a spiraled hex shaft. Yup, the oil pump seized and the shaft was twisted! Yikes
Assuming the hex oil drive shaft is now leaning against the block and therefore preventing the distributor from sitting down on it all the way... Just get a long, skinny screwdriver and get a dab of grease on the end of it. Now, making sure you hang on tight to the screwdriver, try to build up a spacer of grease between the shaft and the block. You may have to get more grease a time or two to be successful. The idea is to get that drive shaft to stand up straight for ya so the distributor drive at the bottom can go over the shaft correctly. There ya go!
One of the scariest things I've ever seen looking down that distributor hole was a spiraled hex shaft. Yup, the oil pump seized and the shaft was twisted! Yikes
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 72
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From: newberg us
distributor wont go in.
THanks for all of the help guys..some great information and ideas. As far as the spinning of the motor, we already tried that a few times without unveil. at any rate it does give me ideas on what needs to be done with the shaft, is it possible that it dropped down in there and needs to be lifted up and just put in the distributor before it gets pu tin the engine. This is what a ford dealer told me, but we all know that they can be very wrong.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 11
From: McPherson, Ks
distributor wont go in.
The oil pump drive shaft SHOULD have a "retaining washer" (for lack of a better word) that keeps the shaft from being lifted out of the pump and dropped into the pan when you remove the dist..
I have NEVER had to do anything other than rotate the motor a little to get the dist to drop in...
I have NEVER had to do anything other than rotate the motor a little to get the dist to drop in...
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 191
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From: McPherson, Ks
distributor wont go in.
I forgot to add,,,,If thats what the dealer told you... Dont listen to this ford dealer EVER AGAIN!
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: georgia
distributor wont go in.
If you have old distributor take gear off remove shaft from housing use this to line your oil pump shaft with where rotor should be pointing when it drops in.sounds like your oil pump shaft as come out of hole.Thats why they have retainer clip but you can move them if shaft was froze up when you removed distributor.Be very careful it might be sitting on top of pump if it slides off it will be pull oil pan time. Shaft should turn with a little resistance when you turn it Hope this helps Wes
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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distributor wont go in.
I had this same problem. Turned out that there was no keeper on the oil pump drive shaft. The shaft had pulled out of the pump and was resting on the top of the pump, this made the drive shaft to long. Try putting a dab of grease over the hex on the distributor, then try to set it in. Remove the distributor and check to see if the grease has been disturbed. If grease is distrubed the distributor is engaging the dive. I had to pull my oil pan and reinstall drive shaft.
