re-installing distributor

[jmp]

Hey there... I pulled out my dist to change the tach cross gear (72 LT-1, btw) and I'm now ready to put the dist back in. Problem is, it doesn't seem to want to go back in! The dist won't go all the way back in to the engine -- it sits about 1/2 inch up.

Is there some trick to re-installing the dist? Nothing got moved while the dist was out -- crank's still in the same place, and I marked the dist body/engine and the #1 spark plug location on the dist itself.

Thanks!

 

[silver 80]

your probably not sitting in the oil pump.
look at the bottom of the dist you should see a notch like a screwdriver flat tip, it sits in the oil pump.

 

[Mike Carter]

I've had luck with "tapping" ignition. once you know distributor is in 'tap ignition key, Don't Start. The distributor should drop in. basically turn engine gently. You can do same thing with large pipe wrench on bottom pulley of engine, in nuetral but you need second person. Also best if you have help applying pressure to top of distributor, take the coil wire off, no start that way.

 

[Dave L.]

jmp -I ran into the same problem on Saturday when I dropped my dist back in. Just move the rotor back and forth slightly until it drops on the oil pump drive like silver80 said. I played with it for about 2 minutes and then it dropped in.

Dave