trouble reinstalling distributor

[TruckeeFastback]

After swapping intake mainfolds. I noted the rotor orientation and I can feel the worm gears engaging as I drop the distributor in. It's bottoming on something. It only goes as far as the bottom of the o-ring gastket and stops. Gentle tapping and wiggling doesn't seem to help. Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[mustang70]

It sounds like it's stopping on the oil pump driveshaft. You can do one of two things. Use a socket and turn the shaft a little and try putting the distributor back in. Or you can put the distributor in until it stops, then turn the motor over until it drops in. That's the way I usually do it.

 

[D.Hearne]

If you use the socket method, use a 1/4" drive one, and duct-tape it to the extension. If using the starter method ( this doesn't always work for me and is hard on the oilpump drive) just bump the starter with a screw driver across the solenoid terminals while applying pressure on the distributor.

 

[WORTH]

or just turn the crank with a socket/breakerbar.

 

[TruckeeFastback]

or just turn the crank with a socket/breakerbar.

Thanks. That's what I did. Worked perfect. I just hope it's aligned correctly.

 

[WORTH]

Thanks. That's what I did. Worked perfect. I just hope it's aligned correctly.

just back the crank back to zero and make sure she's pointed at #1