Distributor won't go all the way down.

G

gst

New member
Hi, i'm new here...
I need some input on this distributor instal.
the housing fits the head, and pilot dowel is a good fit in it's hole.
The shaft is the same length and diameter as the one that came out ( single shaft )
I have measured all the hole depths, shaft sizes housing sizes, and even reached carefully down into the block and cleaned the drive tang near the cam.
The distrbtor goes in the tang clicks in but the distributor stops going down when it is still .050" too high In other words it wont go all the way down.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

G
 
I f it were mine I would switch to the two piece distributor shaft. The single shaft is probably too long, holding up the disributor. The two piece shaft acts like a universal joint in the drive thus giving a more forgiving action to the rotating motion of the distributor and cam gear drive.
 
Did you have the valve cover off to see if some rust fell into the drive gear tang?

From what you say, I assume you installed a new one piece shaft. I didn't know they were still being sold, but I agree with Dave that the two piece shaft is the best.
 
Surprised about the long shaft, is it new, or is the lower oil shaft new? Does the shaft drop down onto the oil pump shaft, some times the slots are not aligned, turning the cam and moving it while you turn it should let it drop in. Another problem could be the slot on the bottom of the long shaft could be compressed not letting it slide over the oiler tang. If the shafts are connecting, the pin that goes into the head may have been damaged and has to be cleaned up some, to fit into the hole in the head. I have painted rebuilt distributors and had both the the slot problem and a build up of paint on the pin, stopping me from getting the distributor down all the way in to the head. Just some things to look at, and I agree with the others about the one piece shaft and some of the problems that can be associated with using them. Good luck, DRC
 
The shafts that I have seen are usually "turned" at the ends to fit into the sleeves. To include even a bit of "taper" at the end/transition to match to the original diameter of the shaft.

Is it possible that the turned down portion is somewhat "shorter" on your new shaft end? Or that they left no taper or left a distinct "step" between the diameters?

Comparison with your old shaft should reveal any difference in this area.

Joe K
 
I purchased a new shaft and had to file the grove to make it slightly wider in order for it to seat all the way down.
 
You do know the slots are offset on the shaft....?
Also there can be a bur in the head opening or on the dizzy.
 
"You do know the slots are offset on the shaft....?"

My first thought also. Try turning the rotor 180 degrees and wiggle it back and forth while pressing down on the distributor. Sometimes the slot has to be filed a little wider to fit the drive also.
 
I've had to use a thin smooth file and give the slots a couple strokes to make them fit. As long as it only takes a couple file strokes to give a nice fit, that's fine. It's better than too loose.:)
 
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