Distributor won't go back in
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 254
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From: Colorado
Distributor won't go back in
I just got done doing my engine rebuild, and everything is back in place except the distributor.. kind of a problem!
It will only go part way into the block, and then it wont go any further, when I spin the shaft it just sits there and spins. My first thought it that it isn't engaging with the oil pump shaft becuase I can't get the oil shaft to stay in the middle of the opening, it keep's falling to one side. If anyone has any thought's on this I'd be thankful (as this problem is holding up the show!)
This is on an '88 EFI 302
thanks,
robert
It will only go part way into the block, and then it wont go any further, when I spin the shaft it just sits there and spins. My first thought it that it isn't engaging with the oil pump shaft becuase I can't get the oil shaft to stay in the middle of the opening, it keep's falling to one side. If anyone has any thought's on this I'd be thankful (as this problem is holding up the show!)
This is on an '88 EFI 302
thanks,
robert
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 158
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From: Champlin USA
its been a while since i rebuilt my 351 but could you have put the oil pump's intermediate drive shaft in upside down? im not sure if it would even fit in there like that but, hey its a thought. then it wouldnt go down far enough into the oil pump (because of that stop thingy on the shaft) and might lean to one side?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 300
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From: Crosby TX
If you can "spin the shaft" then you do not have the Distributor into the cam gear yet. You have to get there first before it will engage the oip pump shaft.
Also if you don't have the lower cap on, make sure the the spring clip that holds the lower cap on is not hitting the intake manifold.
Also if you don't have the lower cap on, make sure the the spring clip that holds the lower cap on is not hitting the intake manifold.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 83
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From: MIAMI FL
DIST won't go in
Yea, the oil pump drive shaft has to line up WHILE the dist and cam gear mesh. Sometimes I have to 'juke' it around a little and mess with it (gently feeling the mesh with my fingers rotating the dist rotor). At the same time turning the base of the dist body itself a little and applying moderate downward pressure. All this 'feeling out' while trying to keep #1 cylinder in the area it needs to be. I've had problems in the past where the oil pump drive shaft has fallen into the motor (really sucked). So to combat this, I clean the dist and pump shaft and put a little drop of super glue so it cannot fall out and *****. If you use too much glue, I don't know what can happen but just a little and it'll break away and free up with use.
I've taken out and installed many a 302 dist. and it just requires a certain feel. Don't worry you will get it down sometimes a little burr or whatever can seemingly stop it up.
Just don't force anything!!$$$
I've taken out and installed many a 302 dist. and it just requires a certain feel. Don't worry you will get it down sometimes a little burr or whatever can seemingly stop it up.
Just don't force anything!!$$$
