Distributor wont go all the way down on new motor

[fastimes69]

Are you sure the shaft didn't come out of the pump while messing with it or turning the motor over if it was on an engine stand? It's happened to me on more than one occasion. When I've pulled out the distributor to check the timing or align the rotor to the no. 1 on the dis. cap they sometimes get pulled out of the pump and sit to a side and wont let the didtributor all the way in. Look in the dis. hole with a flashlight and see if it is in the pump. If it s not you'll have to get it in. I've done it with a magnet, but it takes time and patience unless you have the engine out you could take off the oil pan and get to it from there.Hope this helps.

 

[mred03gt]

I had the same problem on my 342 with a ARP Shaft and my MSD Distributor. It was the snap ring on the pump shaft that keeps the shaft from falling out. I just took my old distributor shaft that I was using to prime the engine and lightly tapped it until the snap ring moved down enough to fit.

 

[vristang]

I am not sure that this problem only occurs when using the ARP shaft and an aftermarket dist.

I was using a reman. dist from Napa and an ARP shaft, when I had to trim up my dist (as mentioned in my previous post).

And for me the problem was not the retainer ring, the dist shaft was actually too long, or the hex cut on the shaft was not long enough.

What ever the cause it is not a mojor problem to fix.

jason

 

[jstang209]

i also had the same problem.. but i just got a magnet thingy from autozone (2bucks) and stuck it down there and pulled up the shaft and put a dot a gasket sealant or sumthin really sticky i forgot.. lol neways i put a dab on the end and shoved it in the dizzy.. held it there for a couple of secs, then slap it right in with no problems!!

 

[FordRacing302]

i also had the same problem.. but i just got a magnet thingy from autozone (2bucks) and stuck it down there and pulled up the shaft and put a dot a gasket sealant or sumthin really sticky i forgot.. lol neways i put a dab on the end and shoved it in the dizzy.. held it there for a couple of secs, then slap it right in with no problems!!

I had the same problem, so I did what this guy did, and it went down without a problem

 

[Deths91Gt]

I have had to cut my shaft down about 1/8 of an inch before..This was on my 396. Locked up 3 oil pumps until i realize that the oil ARP oil pump shaft was a bit too long. I should of realize something was wrong when i had to push the distributor in real hard the last 1/8-1/4 of an inch. It was shoving the shaft into the pump and causeing the gears to bind up.

 

[Rick 91GT]

It is not the shaft that is too long, it is the recessed area on the shaft not being deep enough so it bottoms out in the dis housing. That is the reason you trim the housing.

ANYONE who forced it into place is playing with fire, you may get away with it a little with a stock pump but a HV pump will snap it quick.

Dist clearance is very important, and needs to be checked and verified.