Thread: trouble dropping in distibutor

Tweet

I'm having problems dropping in my distributor in the right place. I have done all the stuff like bringing it to TDC, when the #1 piston is at the top, etc.
Now I can't line up the gears where it will drop all the way down!!!
I had to walk away from it before I started throwing sh__!!
Any ideas??

Thanks

The distributor is probably sitting on the oil pump rod. If you have it in the right place have someone BUMP over the engine while you hold the dist.down it will fall right in. OR you can repull it and turn the oil pump shaft with a long screw driver. Realy not a big deal

I went back out after "I" cooled down and it dropped right in. Go figure! I haven't messed with these old engines in 25 years but it's all coming back to me. I love it! However, even back then the one thing I never did was put in a distributor. I have done everything else I can think of but it still wants to bog down when I put my foot in it. I think when the motor was put back together, whoever did it put the distributor in a tooth off. It's startin' to pi__
me off!! But, I'll keep playin' with it until I get it right. Thanks for lettin' me vent! If anybody has some advice for me, bring it on!!

Thanks

Do you have the vacuum line at the correct fitting. My recollection of an older SBC is that they used full manifold vacuum rather than ported vacuum like the Fords. The fitting should be below the throttle plates for full manifold vacuum. Static timing is with this line disconnected and the open hole plugged. Also, is your vacuum advance chamber good? If you can suck on the line and meet no resistance, i.e. doesn't move the point plate, it's "gone to heaven"