Big Block Distributor won't seat.. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72BlueGMC · 08-23-2011, 07:29 PM

heres the deal, I have 454 out of a 85 Suburban I stroked and I am installing in my 72 C10...

I am looking for some advice, I have a 454 out of a 85 suburban that I am turned into a 489 (or I am trying). At this point I am trying to use the stock distributor because I have sunk a lot of money in everything else. During reassemble I have tired to drop in the stock distributor several times but I can't get the last inch to drop.

I feel it engage with the cam it gets very sold at that point and I have tried to turn it to line up with the oil pump shaft MANY times.

What am I doing wrong, surley this isn't a first.....

RandyDandy · 08-23-2011, 08:17 PM

If you roll the engine over on the starter it should drop the rest of the way in.

72BlueGMC · 08-23-2011, 08:43 PM

Right now it is just dead weight, the starter is not on, I have sat it in there and turned it over by hand just a bit and the got real tight so I backed it off. Maybe I will try again tomorrow...

RandyDandy · 08-23-2011, 08:55 PM

IT would be easier if you had the starter on. What i do is hold a slight pressure down on the distributor and have somebody roll the engine over on the starter a few revolutions and it drops right in.

72BlueGMC · 08-23-2011, 09:13 PM

Good info I will try it that way this weekend, is it normal to fell very tight when it is trying to go in I guess?

RandyDandy · 08-23-2011, 09:44 PM

I am not sure what you mean about feeling tight, but it will only go down so far untill the oil pump dogs line up with the distributor.You could also call your engine builder and see if you need a different distributor gear for your application. You could also maybe ask a mechanic friend to give you a hand if you know one. Good luck i hope you get it figured out before you get too frustrated.

turp mcspray · 08-23-2011, 09:53 PM

The slot in the oil pump needs to line up with the cross pin in the distributor shaft. Like others have stated, if you can turn the engine over, it will drop in. Otherwise pull the dist back out, look down the hole, stick a large screwdriver in the oil pump slot and turn it where it needs to be.

08-23-2011, 07:29 PM	#1
72BlueGMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Burleson TX Posts: 18	Big Block Distributor won't seat.. heres the deal, I have 454 out of a 85 Suburban I stroked and I am installing in my 72 C10... I am looking for some advice, I have a 454 out of a 85 suburban that I am turned into a 489 (or I am trying). At this point I am trying to use the stock distributor because I have sunk a lot of money in everything else. During reassemble I have tired to drop in the stock distributor several times but I can't get the last inch to drop. I feel it engage with the cam it gets very sold at that point and I have tried to turn it to line up with the oil pump shaft MANY times. What am I doing wrong, surley this isn't a first..... __________________ Charles 1972 GMC C10 Long Bed 489 Stroker/400Turbo

08-23-2011, 08:17 PM	#2
RandyDandy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Halifax Nova Scotia Posts: 18	Re: Big Block Distributor won't seat.. If you roll the engine over on the starter it should drop the rest of the way in.

08-23-2011, 08:43 PM	#3
72BlueGMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Burleson TX Posts: 18	Re: Big Block Distributor won't seat.. Right now it is just dead weight, the starter is not on, I have sat it in there and turned it over by hand just a bit and the got real tight so I backed it off. Maybe I will try again tomorrow... __________________ Charles 1972 GMC C10 Long Bed 489 Stroker/400Turbo

08-23-2011, 08:55 PM	#4
RandyDandy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Halifax Nova Scotia Posts: 18	Re: Big Block Distributor won't seat.. IT would be easier if you had the starter on. What i do is hold a slight pressure down on the distributor and have somebody roll the engine over on the starter a few revolutions and it drops right in.

08-23-2011, 09:13 PM	#5
72BlueGMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Burleson TX Posts: 18	Re: Big Block Distributor won't seat.. Good info I will try it that way this weekend, is it normal to fell very tight when it is trying to go in I guess? __________________ Charles 1972 GMC C10 Long Bed 489 Stroker/400Turbo

08-23-2011, 09:44 PM	#6
RandyDandy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Halifax Nova Scotia Posts: 18	Re: Big Block Distributor won't seat.. I am not sure what you mean about feeling tight, but it will only go down so far untill the oil pump dogs line up with the distributor.You could also call your engine builder and see if you need a different distributor gear for your application. You could also maybe ask a mechanic friend to give you a hand if you know one. Good luck i hope you get it figured out before you get too frustrated.

08-23-2011, 09:53 PM	#7
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: Big Block Distributor won't seat.. The slot in the oil pump needs to line up with the cross pin in the distributor shaft. Like others have stated, if you can turn the engine over, it will drop in. Otherwise pull the dist back out, look down the hole, stick a large screwdriver in the oil pump slot and turn it where it needs to be. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

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