302 distributor installation problem

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Jun 10, 2001 | 03:31 AM

FE427TP

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From: yes

302 distributor installation problem

Jun 13, 2001 | 02:20 PM

Bing

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From: 99118 26th st NW

302 distributor installation problem

How much force should it take to put the stock distributor back into my 77 F150 302? I line up the rotor and the dist. body to my marks and drop the dist. in and it seems to engage the gear and slip over the oil pump drive but that's as far as it wants to go. I've never done this before on this motor and I don't know if I should tap it down with a hammer or not. It looks like it needs to go down another 1/2 inch. Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated. - Thanks

Jun 13, 2001 | 03:22 PM

beartracks

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Albuquerque

302 distributor installation problem

Don't hit with anythin! I suspect the problem is that the oil pump shaft is not engaging. This isn't unusual. Some times you can turn the rotor to a new position wringle it around and it will drop in. Then you have to pull it back out and try the correct position again. Another way is to set it so that the rotor is turned untill it just about lines up, then have someone bump the starter while you push on the distributor.

Good luck!

1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything

Jun 13, 2001 | 06:15 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

302 distributor installation problem

If you need to turn the pump shaft, you can CAREFULLY put a 5/16" socket on an extension and slip it over the shaft and turn it. I think a 351w is 3/8" .

Jun 13, 2001 | 06:19 PM

FE427TP

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From: yes

302 distributor installation problem

I have a FE so it's a 1/4" drive and I jjust take a 1/4" socket and a 12" extension and slip it down on the oil pump driveshaft and turn it 1/8th of a turn and the distributor usually slips right in after that, I've heard because of some pressure/suction still in the oil pump when you pull the distributor out the oil pump moves itself ever so slightly and then you just need to reposition it.

Jun 14, 2001 | 12:27 AM

jdbanks

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From: Houston, TX

302 distributor installation problem

Ok, at the risk of showing my stupidity AGAIN..... My father taught me to just grab the pully and turne it by hand a little to get it to slip in. Other than possibly catching a finger between the belt and pully is there any problem this could cause?
*jdbanks*

Jun 14, 2001 | 11:54 AM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

302 distributor installation problem

If it doesn't drop in right away, you risk getting the distributor off so the engine won't start, or backfires through the carb or some other unpleasant thing like that. If you get it off, you will have to do the top dead center firing position thing for #1 cylinder and realign the dist that way. (I take the valve cover off but there is the thumb over the sparkplug hole method too)