Distributor Does Not Sit Properly
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New User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 14
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From: Sacramento, Ca
Distributor Does Not Sit Properly
I just finish diagnosing an electrical problem and had fixed. While putting everything back together and getting my ignition timing back to spec, I've run into a problem. I aligned my #1 cylinder at TDC and I removed the distributor to adjust the direction of the rotor. While trying to place the distributor back into place I noticed it would not sit flush with the block anymore. I did not remove it completely when I turned the rotor, just enough to make the twist.
I've search several treads on this and other forums and tried many suggested methods such as turning, wiggling, and playing with the distributor until it sits, turning the motor by hand, bumping the motor while holding down the distributor...After this, I still can't seem to get it to sit properly.
Is there any ideas as to why it's doing this and what could be done?
Thank you
I've search several treads on this and other forums and tried many suggested methods such as turning, wiggling, and playing with the distributor until it sits, turning the motor by hand, bumping the motor while holding down the distributor...After this, I still can't seem to get it to sit properly.
Is there any ideas as to why it's doing this and what could be done?
Thank you
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 7
From: O-O-O-Oreilly's
What's all over your distributor?
The oil pump drive shaft is not keying into the bottom of the dizzy shaft. Take a flashlight and look for a hexagonal shaft down in the dizzy hole. Take some sort of long, narrow instrument and center the shaft. Then stab in the dizzy. You may need to wiggle the rotor, but it should go.
The oil pump drive shaft is not keying into the bottom of the dizzy shaft. Take a flashlight and look for a hexagonal shaft down in the dizzy hole. Take some sort of long, narrow instrument and center the shaft. Then stab in the dizzy. You may need to wiggle the rotor, but it should go.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
If you have moved the orientation of the rotor it's likely the oil pump drive is no longer lining up with the distributor and it is sitting on the oil pump drive splines.
I'm not sure if it's the correct way to do it but I turn the engine in small increments by hand until it lines up and the distributor drops down.
I'm not sure if it's the correct way to do it but I turn the engine in small increments by hand until it lines up and the distributor drops down.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
The cam gear and dizzy gear are probably not meshing.
Put a socket on the crank bolt and turn the crank minutely while applying a twisting motion on the rotor of the distributor.
Btw, orient the vacuum canister pointing forward.. ya might end up with no clearance against the upper radiator hose.
.. that dizzy is frrickin' filthy.
Put a socket on the crank bolt and turn the crank minutely while applying a twisting motion on the rotor of the distributor.
Btw, orient the vacuum canister pointing forward.. ya might end up with no clearance against the upper radiator hose.
.. that dizzy is frrickin' filthy.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 14
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From: Sacramento, Ca
Thanks guys, I tried most of these things already. It looks like I may just need a new day and a clear mind to try again.
As is the rest of the block! I've seen worse though. My intentions right now are to get it mobile again so I can transfer the registration to my name, then will likely pull the engine.
Again, Thanks!
As is the rest of the block! I've seen worse though. My intentions right now are to get it mobile again so I can transfer the registration to my name, then will likely pull the engine.
Again, Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,970
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
I usually just put a little downward pressure on the distributor while bumping the starter around with a remote starter switch until the distributor seats. It just needs to line up with the oil pump shaft, as noted.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
Try centering the oil pump shaft with some bearing grease. The grease will hold the shaft till you get the dizzy shaft lined up on down. Worked for me.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
As the others have said, it's probably the oil pump drive shaft no longer in sync with the socket of the distributor.
I used a 1/4" drive socket (thin walls) on an extension to turn the oil pump drive shaft a bit at a time until the distributor would mesh.
I used a 1/4" drive socket (thin walls) on an extension to turn the oil pump drive shaft a bit at a time until the distributor would mesh.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,417
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And.... Duct tape the socket to the extension!
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New User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 14
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From: Sacramento, Ca
Haha, can't work on an old Ford without Duct tape! I have locking extensions 
I have tomorrow off, I will be getting to this again tomorrow. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks again.
I have tomorrow off, I will be getting to this again tomorrow. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks again.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 14
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From: Sacramento, Ca
I skipped last weekend after all, sorry. I ended up doing something else. So, THIS weekend I went out to get this distributor back in there! I open the hood, put my hand on the cap so I can remove it...the damn thing slips into place. 
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
They're that way. B******s!!!
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