Mounting dome distributor

34 fordor owner

34 fordor owner

Senior Member
I was able to get my dome distributor off my 34 flathead and out no problem without removing anything extra. Now I got the distributor back and can’t get it to line up properly to be able to mount it. I need some tips.
 
Turn the rotor of the distributor until the tongue on the back of the distributor lines up with the offset slot in the end of the camshaft in the hole in the timing gear cover.
 
I will be posting a video tomorrow which shows the distributor slotting into the cam. This may or may not prove helpful.
Offer the distributor squarely and slowly rotate the rotor. If you think it might be trying to engage, try it 180 degrees around from there. In one of the positions it should slot into place cleanly.
Mart.

Edit: No the vacuum does not have to be connected to fit the distributor.
Edit 2: You will need to have either the coil or one of the side plates not fitted to rotate the rotor. I normally only use crab type so rotating the distributor is easier.
 
Make two temporary studs and put them in finger tight. This will allow you to slip the gasket on and then the distributor. Turn the rotor with your finger as you line up the slot and slide the distributor in. Install the third bolt and then replace the two studs one at a time with the permanent bolts. Easy-peasy.
 
Test for spark first. Remove one spark plug lead off the plug and hold the end of the lead about 1/4"" away from a head stud nut and have someone crank her over on the starter. If you have a nice spark then look at the fuel system. If you dont have spark then fault find the ignition circuit. Make sure you have the ignition switch ON for your spark test. Regards, Kevin.
 
You did ALSO remember to re-connect the coil power wire? The simplest AND FIRST major check!!! IF so then Kevin's post above is the first go to move!!!!
 
koates said:
Make sure you have the ignition switch ON for your spark test. Regards, Kevin.
Click to expand...

And a caution to add to Kevin's comment. After EACH AND EVERY starting attempt, turn off the switch on the column. Do not forget.

Forget this step and you risk purchase of a new coil (when it stays in charge mode as long as the switch is on and the distributor stops with the points closed, if I have that correctly).

Here are a couple of screen grabs from Mart's video that he mentioned above that illustrates the tang/camshaft junction.

VeryTangled said:
For future reference to folks.

I was just catching up with Mart and his Pendine Prep series. This one is video #7. Between 21:30 and 23:00 you get an excellent visual description of him fitting a distributor tang into the slot in the end of the camshaft. First pic is the wrong way, second is when the tang dropped into the slot. Later in the video he dresses the tang to get an even better engagement.

Maybe it will help someone else.

Nice job Mart!

the video: https://youtu.be/Ydy38R7EPL8

Mart's thread about the video: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=311700

Mart's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzcePXyhzVro40j-vjjZShg

487111


487112
Click to expand...
 
I always take a look at the front of cam to see where the offset is located and I align the distributor the same. Never had any trouble getting the distributor to slid in very easy. Been using that method since 1950.
 
MGG said:
Make two temporary studs and put them in finger tight. This will allow you to slip the gasket on and then the distributor. Turn the rotor with your finger as you line up the slot and slide the distributor in. Install the third bolt and then replace the two studs one at a time with the permanent bolts. Easy-peasy.
Click to expand...


Hi,
Planning the replacement of the V8 dist.
Could someone provide size for studs (diameter, length) so I can prepare for easier fitting as suggested above ?
Many thanks
 
torpedo said:
Hi,
Planning the replacement of the V8 dist.
Could someone provide size for studs (diameter, length) so I can prepare for easier fitting as suggested above ?
Many thanks
Click to expand...

Carburettor studs of an old inlet manifold works fine -Karl
 
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