Distributor wont go all the way down on new motor

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.

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.

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