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Distributor?

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Old Jun 26, 2012 | 06:21 PM
  #1  
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Distributor?

Have a 1975 f100 with a 79 351 in it.
Thought we broke the timing chain and afyer disassembling the motOr find out the distributor drive gear is striped(shaft turns and the gear doesn't)
Need help re installing.
At the final point of stabbing the distributOr wich I've done a thousand times timing this truck but it won't sit all the way as if the oil pump shaft wasn't lined up. Any tips or tricks to gettyis running?
It's an everyday truck and we've been piddling with it since sunday.
Thanks
 
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Old Jun 26, 2012 | 07:12 PM
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J ballan
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Sometimes if you hold pressure down on the distributor housing and get someone to turn the engine over it will drop into place. Be careful of the fan.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2012 | 07:19 PM
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Did you replace the gear, and are reusing your old dist, or did you pick up a different one. If you got a different one, make sure its not for a 289 302, as the oil pump shaft hole is smaller on the 302. Another thing to check is, make sure the oil pump drive shaft is in the oil pump hole, and not sitting on the pump housing causing it to slant.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 12:04 PM
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No we got a whole new distributor and it's the right one
I'll try turning the motor over. I didn't think of that I been trying the hard way lol
Hopefully I can get some time today or tomorrOw if I don't have to work
 
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 01:15 PM
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No way I'd try bumping the engine over, chances are, you'll no longer be at TDC once you get the dizzy to seat. I always grab the appropriate socket (5/16" maybe) duct tape it to a few extensions, and make small changes that way until the dizzy drops in.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 06:13 PM
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J ballan
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Originally Posted by 704 dentside man
No way I'd try bumping the engine over, chances are, you'll no longer be at TDC once you get the dizzy to seat. I always grab the appropriate socket (5/16" maybe) duct tape it to a few extensions, and make small changes that way until the dizzy drops in.
The distributor and camshaft gears mesh together long before the oil pump driveshaft fits into the distributor so as long as you have the dizzy in the right tooth you can turn the engine over intell the dizzy drops in maintaining the timing(or at least close enough to start) it should start and once it's running you can set the timing. I've done this many times. Your way also works fine to. Just thought I should clear that up.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 08:09 PM
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^^^Oh...so you're saying keep the dizzy in the hole and let it drop, rather than trial and error. I'll buy that.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by 704 dentside man
^^^Oh...so you're saying keep the dizzy in the hole and let it drop, rather than trial and error. I'll buy that.
You bet, just keeping light pressure on the housing.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 09:40 AM
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Makes since I think the rest of the parts are in today and I don't have work so I'll probably tinker on it
 
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 09:52 AM
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You guys know a good part number for an adjustable vacuum advance, for a 1977 351M?
And where to buy it?
Are they worth fooling with?
My present advance is loose and floppy. I think it should be tight on the dizzy
and the arm only move in an out.
Thought the adjustable might improve over all timming. Thanks/Robert
 
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 12:35 PM
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I bump mine in all the time,like about 50 years. I put it in park or out of gear depending on the trany. Them with a my hand on top of the dist. i jump it at the solenoid with an old push button made for the older ford starters. Just a quick bump,not crank it much,you can feel it drop. Then i bring number one up again to make sure it's pointing correct so i can start timing it.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 01:16 PM
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Still can't get this thing!! Drops downy almost to the o-ring and doesmt go anymore
Any help?
 
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 01:27 PM
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I've done what's suggested here, but I've also taken a small wooden dowel with a glob of vaseline on it and stuck that down the distributor hole and smeared the vaseline all around the top of the oil pump driveshaft so that it will be in the center of the hole and not leaning sideways. Hopefully that makes some sense. Good luck.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Bootzz711
Still can't get this thing!! Drops downy almost to the o-ring and doesmt go anymore
Any help?
I had that problem with a 302 a couple of months ago. Turned out it was a rebuilt dist i bought and it was out of round in that area. I removed the O-ring long enough to use a little sand paper on it. Then i used a brake cylinder hone in the engine just enough to shine it up. Dropped right in then. I knew if i forced it in i may never get it out later. I don't know if it will help later ,but i did put some no-sieze around it before dropping it in.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 02:36 PM
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If I take the oil pump shaft out ut drops right in and tge oil pump shaft fits perfect in the distributor just can't put it all together
 
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