Distributor moving on high volume oil pump?

[Max Power]

Just built a new 393 and I am using a Melling high volume oil pump. As tight as I have the distributor hold down, it appears that the distributor is rotating very slowly and my timing is retarding.

I cant go any tighter on the hold down, is there another way to keep the distributor from moving? Will this go away when the motor breaks in? Should I just switch to synthetic soon?

I am using 10w30 oil. Maybe 5w20 would work better?

 

[thehueypilot]

Maybe your hold down needs to be shortened more to put more pressure on the distributor. The hold screw may be bottoming out in its blind hole because it is too long? Straight 30 wgt is a good break in oil to use and you should change the filter often during your breakin period.

 

[crushnut]

Maybe your hold down needs to be shortened more to put more pressure on the distributor. The hold screw may be bottoming out in its blind hole because it is too long?

This idea seems reasonable, worth a try eh?

 

[Max Power]

Actually, I have an ARP stud and nut, so it is holding as tight as that design can. I am pretty sure it is not bottomed out.

 

[jmlay71]

Did your check the pump drive after you put in distributor? If there is no play between the distributor & the shaft the distributor may not beseating althe way. I would pull the pan and see if you can move the shaft up & down. If you can not I would trim the shaft as needed to get the play needed.

Mike

 

[gp001]

Does the distributor base bottom out on the block? Did you do a distributor gear change on this distributor? It should take very little force to keep the distrib from turing.