Cam distributor problems.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 21, 2003 | 02:57 PM

tracman

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 45

Likes: 0

Cam distributor problems.

I have rebuilt my 351w, but am having a serious problem trying to get the Distributor to go in. I have tried two separate cams, and two different distributors.

I dropped the Oil pump, to eliminate any doubt that the Drive shaft was causing a problem.

I have turned the cam and distributor every way possible and the dist. will not go in. It hits the cam solid and will not go into place.

Would you all have any Ideas as to what could be causing the problem? I have never had this problem with any engine. (I've dealt mainly with Mopar engines though)

I would really appreciate any help with this problem.

Dec 21, 2003 | 04:09 PM

71swissaqua

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 602

Likes: 0

From: Huntersville

Do you have another known good distributor to try? Any chance the one you have is not for a 351W? If the cam is not installed will the dist. go in ok? Strange problem give us more information.
What did the dist. come out of? Is it a new cam?
Clint

Dec 21, 2003 | 04:46 PM

c_rossman

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 1,349

Likes: 3

From: Cloud USA

Maybe the gear is on backwards? or the gear is for a big block which is larger.

Dec 21, 2003 | 04:56 PM

tracman

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 45

Likes: 0

Actually you are right on the second one. Another guy mentioned to me that they may have sold me a 351C dist. So I ran the parts number on Oreilly's website and that is the problem. I've got to go in the morning to order a 351w dist....

I quit working on this truck a couple months ago due to this problem and not enough time. So this truck has been sitting for about 2 months, just because the Idiots didn't see the C at the end of the 351.......

Quite POed and quite happy that the problem has finally been discovered...

Dec 21, 2003 | 08:58 PM

ecarter50

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 1,229

Likes: 3

351c distributor will fit 351w if you change the gear.

Dec 25, 2003 | 08:53 PM

tracman

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 45

Likes: 0

Well, they can't seem to get it figured out that they have their stupid numbers wrong.

So here's my next question.

On this page at Summit Racing They have different Shaft Sizes listed for the 351w. I have a Stock Cam for this truck. So would the last gear listed be the one I need. Iron Dist gear

I know the iron gear would be best, but this one doesn't show a shaft size. So I'm not sure if I need to order it or not....

Thanks for the responses so far.

Dec 26, 2003 | 10:39 AM

daerhldgs2

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 627

Likes: 1

use care in selecting the gear as you use a different gear steel /cast/bronze depending if you use a roller cam or not i.e. the gear on a dist. for a roller cam will eat the gear off a standard hyd. cam, go to a wrecker and get a dist. from a 351W.