Distributer Install woes

[Mart]

I was about to reinstall the distributer tonight when as it dropped into place it did not line up, it seems that the oil pump driveshaft has moved slightly from when I took it out.

As I have not moved the motor one little bit, it seemed strange, can it be moved back, the rotor is now pointing at the #2 cyl.

I have checked to see if I am at TDC on #1, and I believe I am.........

Please help
Mart

 

[vette-dude]

The oil pump drive shaft has a slot on it that mates with the tang on the dist. Take a long handled screw driver and turn the slotted oil pump drive shaft to the position you need to engage the tang on the dist when you install it in its original position. The reason it moves is when you take the dist out the drive gear is spiral and it revolves the driveshaft as you pull the dist out. This is normal and is an easy fix. I recommend you take the time to do this even though you can BUBBA the wiring on the cap to compensate for the out of position (one tooth off) re installation problem you have now. You may not be able to time the car properly as the vacuum advance cannister will have interference problems if you attempt to do it by moving the wires.


Randy

 

[Mart]

I will try moving it, but there is no vacuum advance cannister on an 86.

 

[vette-dude]

I will try moving it, but there is no vacuum advance cannister on an 86.

My bad. Sorry for the disinformation, I used to be with the CIA.


Randy

 

[Mart]

C'mon guys, need help here, can anybody mention something that point me in the right direction.

Hey VetteDude, can I still try to turn the oil driveshaft??

Mart

 

[vette-dude]

Yeah it's no problem. It will turn real easily. Might have to drop the dist in a couple of times as the slots have to line up to seat the dist but it is an easy job with a long screwdriver.

Randy

 

[Mart]

No offense VetteDude, but I thought there would have been more response to this thread.

Where are you guys, :eyerole out celebrating the Florida Stanley Cup win.

 

[rrubel]

Hey, Mart, got your IM. I would have suggested exactly the same thing as Vette-dude. Haven't gotten to that point yet, but will soon.

If you've done a lot of work, though, wouldn't you want to pre-oil everything? That would change the alignment of the pump driveshaft, but it's necessary...
[RICHR]

 

[Mart]

Thanks Guys,

I have'nt done that much, just the intake and refinnished the valve covers (turned out nice), it's just that while inthere I noticed that the pushrods were a little sloppy, not all but some, just wear and tear.

So I figured that I might as well adjust them while at it.

You know how it is Rich, One thing leads to another, next thing you know it's a 500cube with a blower. :L

Thanks
Mart

 

[rrubel]

Hmmm.... now why would I know all about that?
[RICHR]

 

[vette-dude]

have'nt done that much, just the intake and refinnished the valve covers (turned out nice), it's just that while inthere I noticed that the pushrods were a little sloppy, not all but some, just wear and tear.

So I figured that I might as well adjust them while at it.

You said you haven't moved the motor in your first post. How did you adjust the valves/pushrods without turning over the engine? If you have moved the crankshaft at all you will have to static time the engine. This involves moving number 1 piston to the top and having both valves closed. The mark on the dampener should be at TDC mark. Then you can reinstall the dist with the tang on the rotor in the same position as the wiring of the Dist cap. You will have to move the slot on the oil pump drive to accomodate the reinstallation. If you adjusted the rockers without turning over the engine to the I/E sequence, they are now out of adjustment for sure. Hoe this helps.

Randy

 

[Mart]

Thanks Randy, when I was trying to install the Distributer, I had'nt set the valve lash yet I was waiting to get the "dist" in.


Anyway I got it all done last night, not that big or difficult a job just need to take your time and make sure things are right.

Thanks everyone.
Mart