Problems putting in distributor

[TrueBlue95GT]

I got the motor in the car and I'm putting the distributor back in. The problem is that the distributor doesn't go in easy...I have to pound it in with a deablow hammer...Also, when I do that without goin in far enough to touch the cam gear, the rotor doesnt turn freely...Is there something different about the 88 5.0 block and the 95 5.0 block? What about the mounting of the oil pump? Or is it just because the oil pump is new or distributor wasn't originally installed on this block? Help me please!!!

 

[fordtech28]

the blocks are the same but for some reason on the 94-95 blocks the distributor hole is a tad smaller I discover this when I bought a distributor for my cobra and it was a rebuilt one and it was from and older model mustang because it had a block off plate where normally the TFI module would be and my 95 doesnt have it on the distributor its on the fender well so what I did to make it fit was sand the part where it hits in the hole just make sure you dont damage the o ring and after you are doing clean it good

 

[gustang818]

Wow. The distributor should just fall in until it gets to the gear/oil pump drive shaft. You shouldn't have to pound on it. Are you sure you have the right distributor and pump driveshaft for the engine? The 351's are longer. If you look down the distibutor hole are there any obstructions? I don't see the year of your engine being an issue.

 

[FORCED2DV8]

I definatly wouldnt pound it in, Find whats stopping it from goin in easy and fix, You might have to sand it or grind slightly to fit, Make sure its the correct dist. before modifying it though.

 

[TrueBlue95GT]

Well the block is from an 88 and the distributor is the original from my 95 so that would mean that I would have more room for it to slide in...however, my oil pump shaft looked a little weird in the hole and it was stuck against one side. Should that little metal piece on the oil pump shaft be towards the top of the motor or the bottom...I'm thinking that maybe I put it in upside down.

 

[dstanggt50]

I don't know about the oil pump shaft, but my motor is out of my old 87 gt, didn't have anyproblems with the distributor (95). Maybe investigate more on that shaft.

 

[gustang818]

I didn't have the little metal clip on the oil pump drive shaft but I think it's supposed to be toward the bottom somewhere and locked in by the clip. The shaft should be right in the middle of the hole.