distributor instalation
- Thread starter cvicky
- Start date
Merc Cruzer
Well-known member
What engine are we talking about here?
Merc Cruzer
Well-known member
Put the rotor on and slide the distributor in, making sure the copper tip on the rotor faces the # 1 plug wire terminal.
Last edited:
miker98038
Well-known member
The problem with the y block distributor is after you line up the gear in the right spot you have to get it to drop over the oil pump drive. Rotating the engine lets that happen.
Back when I had the dizzy out on a regular basis, I could do it by bumping the starter. Now, I’d probably need 3 tries to get it right.
Back when I had the dizzy out on a regular basis, I could do it by bumping the starter. Now, I’d probably need 3 tries to get it right.
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
Rotate engine until TDC mark on crankshaft damper aligns with timing pointer.
With spark plug #1 removed, stick your finger in the spark plug hole and see if piston is at the top of the stroke and both valves are closed. If not, rotate again until above is achieved.
Insert distributor into block with cap removed so you can see where the rotor is going as you slide it downward. The goal is to get rotor to point directly at #1 tower on the cap WHEN THE DIZZY IS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BLOCK. (it may be helpful to put a chalkmark on the dizzy housing showing where #1 tower is).
If the dizzy won't go all the way down, you may be getting hunk up on the oil-pump shaft.
I DO NOT recommend cranking the engine to align, because sometimes the shaft is just rotated a little too far, so that you end up getting the dizzy in one geartooth off TDC.
I recommend getting a thin-wall hex-socket attached to a long extension bar to turn the oil-pump shaft, then try to put the dizzy in again and try to get it all the way down.
With spark plug #1 removed, stick your finger in the spark plug hole and see if piston is at the top of the stroke and both valves are closed. If not, rotate again until above is achieved.
Insert distributor into block with cap removed so you can see where the rotor is going as you slide it downward. The goal is to get rotor to point directly at #1 tower on the cap WHEN THE DIZZY IS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BLOCK. (it may be helpful to put a chalkmark on the dizzy housing showing where #1 tower is).
If the dizzy won't go all the way down, you may be getting hunk up on the oil-pump shaft.
I DO NOT recommend cranking the engine to align, because sometimes the shaft is just rotated a little too far, so that you end up getting the dizzy in one geartooth off TDC.
I recommend getting a thin-wall hex-socket attached to a long extension bar to turn the oil-pump shaft, then try to put the dizzy in again and try to get it all the way down.
paul2748
Well-known member
Getting the distributor to set all they way in is a trial and error situation because of the oil pump shaft. Set up the engine as noted by Daves55 . If it doesn't drop all the way in, turn the oil pump shaft a little at a time until the distributor drops all the way in.. Don't bump the starter because that will throw your timing out. Keep trying, can be frustrating at times, but you will get it.