Hmmm, sometimes...there's not a lot of "wiggle" available once the distributor gear starts to mesh with the cam gear.... the oil pump drive rod has six sides, in the worst of worlds, it could be up to 30 degrees off. You probably won't have to worry about it, because it should be in the same place. If the wiggle on the top fails, the solution is to rotate the drive rod, this is what the instructions above where about, getting in to turn by rotating the crank a little.

One last little thing.... the oil pump drive rod is supposed to have a spring washer retainer that keeps it from coming out when you lift the distributor... if for one reason or another (left out in a rebuild? bad day at the factory?) this part is not there, it is possible to loose the rod into the pan, this is kinda of a bummer. Lift the distributor straight up slowly, and then look down the hole with a flash light as see the rod is still there, you won't see much, just the tip in a hole in the block internals. If by some disaster, the rod comes out with the distributor, put some grease in the new distributor's mating hole and that will hold the rod in place for re-installation. This is just precautionary, most likely you won't have this problem!

GL

 

found this old thread and had to finish it off...

ah, 5 years have passed since the stator went foul. I had to replace the distributor, and everything else worked out great. made the trip out west/up north with the truck and didn't have a problem.

the truck still runs. it runs VERY WELL!. got some minor body work to get at next srping, but all in all an amazing machine

i often think back to the help I got here on FTE, and I couldn't have done a thing without you guys.

I hope that I can use the experiences I've gained here to help others in the same way someday.

only thing is...now I have a 94 f350 and an 82 courier that i am always looking for advice about...so I'll keep y'all in mind!

keep on rockin