Distributor won't go down

[_Cheese_]

I Got a 89 5.0L that im about to fire it up for the first time in 3 years but I cant get the distributor down. Its about 1/4" ish away from sitting correctly. Its really annoying! I installed a ARP oil pump drive shaft too. But I dont think that will cause the problem...????? PN 154-7904

any ideas?

 

[liljoe07]

You should have checked/mocked the distributor and shaft. ARP shafts can be too long. I had shave mine down.

 

[jka]

Turn the rotor button slowly with the distriburtor half way out of the motor and it should go down.But if it does not work take it back out set the motor at top dead center and put it back it with the rotor tip pointing at or close to the number one plug wire on the cap. Before you do all of this mark the side of the cap at the number one plug wire on the cap. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Tanus]

what they said^
plus- you have to rotate the rotor and the housing to line up the gears.
Im guessing your already at TDC on the #1, point rotor just a little in front of the #1 on the cap

 

[_Cheese_]

You should have checked/mocked the distributor and shaft. ARP shafts can be too long. I had shave mine down.

I think you maybe right

Turn the rotor button slowly with the distriburtor half way out of the motor and it should go down.But if it does not work take it back out set the motor at top dead center and put it back it with the rotor tip pointing at or close to the number one plug wire on the cap. Before you do all of this mark the side of the cap at the number one plug wire on the cap. GOOD LUCK.

Yea It meshes with the cam but will not fall into place like others have done before

 

[_Cheese_]

Dropped the oil pan, un bolted the oil pump, removed oil pump drive shaft, cut off 1/8" of metal of both ends, sure enough, it fits! And didnt even drop a bolt or oil pump shaft in the pan.

 

[liljoe07]

Told you. Believe me, I went through exactly what you did.

 

[giddyup306]

There are two different length oil pump shafts. Chances are you had the wrong one.