'79 Distributor Question

[Rob79er]

I bought a Remanufactured Distributor from Auto Zone.
The base of the shaft is seated in the hole but the shaft (distributor) will still rotate side to side even though I have the little C-Bracket up against the shaft and the bolt on tight. The only thing that I can figure out is that the base of this new distributor is not as wide as the old one .
Take a look at the base of the shaft in this pic. It is flush at the bottom but not on the sides of the circumference. It has an 1/8 inch of play before it comes up against the side.
http://www.photohost.org/gallery/sh.../cat/500/page/1
Can someone check their disti. and see if they have that play as well.?
The red that you see in the pic is remnants from the old gasket from the old disti --so I am thinking that this Reman is not the same shaft size???

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Once seated there should be no play.

 

[Jack]

The dist base OD and manifold hole ID are both standardized ... that approx 1/8" slop you see is normal. First, could be the clamp (c-bracket) is collapsed or upside down ... there should be a slight arch or hump to it ... the arch goes UP ... like the arch in St. Louis. If that ain't it, try cleaning dist base flange and intake hole real good ... some gaskets have a slick finish on them ... that'll let 'em slide side-to-side ... get a different gasket (or rough it up with scothbrite) and do Not use a sealant. Also, seems you have an aluminum intake manifold. A word of caution: real easy to strip threads in clamp hole ... 'specially if you torque too much ... replace bolt w/stud in hole will prevent this. G'Luck
JACK:gap