Help - Distributor Install hitting rod

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Jun 7, 2012 | 07:11 PM

Atlasts

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Help - Distributor Install hitting rod

I'm trying to get my distributor back in my 1965 352 - There is a rod in the engine block that the end of the distributor slides over.

My problem is the rod is leaning against the side of the hole so the distributor end will not slide over it. I was lucky and got it over one time but now that I'm ready to install it, it won't seat over the rod.

I there a trick to getting that rod to be centered in the hole so the distributor end will slide over it?

Jun 7, 2012 | 08:03 PM

Buzz44

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From: colbert washington

I think I just put a slug of grease down there to hold the oil pump drive shaft centered in the hole. I used white lithium grease. Not to much just enough to hold it centered.

Jun 7, 2012 | 10:01 PM

puttster

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From: Houston

Good answer, vic.

Jun 7, 2012 | 10:16 PM

critterf1

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From: Newport, N.C.

Put slight downward pressure on the vacuum advance while somebody bumps the engine over, it'll fall right in.

Jun 8, 2012 | 08:22 AM

krewat

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From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by critterf1

Put slight downward pressure on the vacuum advance while somebody bumps the engine over, it'll fall right in.

X2 - sounds like the teeth on the cam and the flats on the drive shaft aren't in the exact-right spot.

Jun 8, 2012 | 08:31 AM

Argess

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x3

It's not the rod leaning to the side, it's alignment of the hex shape of the rod to the hex hole in the end of the distributor.

The rod (oil pump drive shaft) is normally pointed a bit so it will center when installing the distributor, but the hex needs to line up, and you do that as stated above... downward pressure on the distributor and crank the engine.

Jun 8, 2012 | 05:11 PM

Atlasts

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Thanks for the info. The turnover over of the motor let it drop over the oil pump shaft!

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Dec 10, 2020 | 04:55 PM

dennisnky

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Quote:

Originally Posted by critterf1

Put slight downward pressure on the vacuum advance while somebody bumps the engine over, it'll fall right in.

I actually just now did this. Didn't have another person who could push down on the distributor but I put a 5lb weight on it and just turned the key like 0.1 seconds and it dropped.

Thanks!