need distributor installation tips - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 12-17-2006, 01:36 PM

i am currently building a vortec headed 350 which is still on the stand. im trying to install the distributor and it simply will not seat. i have positioned the oil pump shaft in many places but it just wont seat. also, im trying to aim the distributor at the driverside rear corner of the carb flange. does that sound like the no. 1 position?

classicchev · 12-17-2006, 02:04 PM

Rotor is to point to #1 spark plug. After you set the engine to TDC, you may have to turn the oil pump drive with a long screwdriver. #1 is on the front right side.

cdowns · 12-17-2006, 03:35 PM

i once ended up with an oil pump rod that didnt fit the dizzy. did you check b-4 assembly that the diz and oil pump drive fit??

corn · 12-17-2006, 04:35 PM

can you seat it at all? Id first try to get it to bottom out anywhere & then try to index it for correct timing. If it will bottom some where on the intake you shouldnt have any problem indexing it for correct timing...

Jim_PA · 12-17-2006, 08:17 PM

You could put it in, and turn the engine over by hand, just for piece of mind to see it drop in. Usually works for me.

poorboy · 12-17-2006, 09:10 PM

I always do it this way. I have not used a screwdriver in years. Also less likley to get debries in the motor.

crm318 · 12-17-2006, 09:12 PM

yea, i think i seated it one time. it is a 1989 block with an internal coil hei (not computer controled). i can look down in the block and see the pump shaft. i have turned it multiple times and i just cant seem to get it to fall in. however, it does fall in just slightly and then it wont go any further.

corn · 12-17-2006, 10:05 PM

It going to be a little tough to do the turning it over trick with it on a stand but its worth a try. One more dumb question though, you do have a gasket on it right? Do you have any other distributors that you could test in it...

poorboy · 12-17-2006, 10:33 PM

It should turn over fine with a crank socket. If the balancer is on you can take an old puller and weld a socket to it and bolt it to the pulley.

crm318 · 12-18-2006, 12:35 AM

yea, the gasket is on right. i have the old computer controled hei laying around. ill give it a shot.

*MisterMan* · 12-18-2006, 02:52 AM

mine did the same thing, just wouldent set pointing to number one. i just set it pointing at the fan and set plug wires accordingly. also it turned out that the oil pump drive shaft will wiggle left to right. that was the cauce of the dissallighnment.

good luck
--den

12-17-2006, 02:04 PM	#2
classicchev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,936	Re: need distributor installation tips Rotor is to point to #1 spark plug. After you set the engine to TDC, you may have to turn the oil pump drive with a long screwdriver. #1 is on the front right side. __________________ 67- 72 Parts collecter Last edited by classicchev; 12-17-2006 at 02:05 PM.

12-17-2006, 03:35 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: need distributor installation tips i once ended up with an oil pump rod that didnt fit the dizzy. did you check b-4 assembly that the diz and oil pump drive fit?? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY Last edited by cdowns; 12-17-2006 at 04:57 PM.

12-17-2006, 04:35 PM	#4
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: need distributor installation tips can you seat it at all? Id first try to get it to bottom out anywhere & then try to index it for correct timing. If it will bottom some where on the intake you shouldnt have any problem indexing it for correct timing...

12-17-2006, 08:17 PM	#5
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: need distributor installation tips You could put it in, and turn the engine over by hand, just for piece of mind to see it drop in. Usually works for me.

12-17-2006, 09:10 PM	#6
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: need distributor installation tips I always do it this way. I have not used a screwdriver in years. Also less likley to get debries in the motor.

12-17-2006, 01:36 PM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	need distributor installation tips i am currently building a vortec headed 350 which is still on the stand. im trying to install the distributor and it simply will not seat. i have positioned the oil pump shaft in many places but it just wont seat. also, im trying to aim the distributor at the driverside rear corner of the carb flange. does that sound like the no. 1 position? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

12-17-2006, 09:12 PM	#7
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: need distributor installation tips yea, i think i seated it one time. it is a 1989 block with an internal coil hei (not computer controled). i can look down in the block and see the pump shaft. i have turned it multiple times and i just cant seem to get it to fall in. however, it does fall in just slightly and then it wont go any further. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

12-17-2006, 10:05 PM	#8
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: need distributor installation tips It going to be a little tough to do the turning it over trick with it on a stand but its worth a try. One more dumb question though, you do have a gasket on it right? Do you have any other distributors that you could test in it...

12-17-2006, 10:33 PM	#9
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: need distributor installation tips It should turn over fine with a crank socket. If the balancer is on you can take an old puller and weld a socket to it and bolt it to the pulley. Last edited by poorboy; 12-17-2006 at 10:34 PM.

12-18-2006, 12:35 AM	#10
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: need distributor installation tips yea, the gasket is on right. i have the old computer controled hei laying around. ill give it a shot. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

12-18-2006, 02:52 AM	#11
MisterMan Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Visalia, California Posts: 286	Re: need distributor installation tips mine did the same thing, just wouldent set pointing to number one. i just set it pointing at the fan and set plug wires accordingly. also it turned out that the oil pump drive shaft will wiggle left to right. that was the cauce of the dissallighnment. good luck --den



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.