How get distributor in?

[sasilverbullet]

Oh guru ones...

On my Ford 460 engine in my 70 Mk III I'm trying to get a rebuilt distributor in. But the hex shaft that i need to have centered falls "off centered" because of the natural tilt of the engine. I tried jacking one side of the car, but it's so slanted I can't tilt the car enough.

Here's a pic - the shaft circled in red needs to stay centered instead of leaning to the left.

Anyone know the secret to getting the distributor in?

Obligatory BITOG statement - "I did look down in the engine and with the 1500 mile OCI's with the Chevron Delo the engine looks very clean!"

 

[Chris142]

The top of the shaft is rounded. When you put the distributer in wiggle it. If that doesn't do it bumping the starter and pushing down slightly on the distributer should let it drop down.

 

[OVERKILL]

The hex shaft is your oil pump drive shaft.

You need to rotate the distributor as you put it in, and wiggle the rotor a little bit, and things will line up and it will slide in.

 

[ethangsmith]

Same setup on my 86 Capri with a 2.3L. It's a bugger to get in, but if you do as the others say and move it around a little, it should work. It's an issue of getting the hex oil pump drive and the gearing for the distributor to align.

 

[Oil Changer]

Have the vacuum can facing the front and the rotor facing ~ the steering wheel with the timing at #1 TDC.

While applying downward pressure (alot is not needed!) you can have someone bump the engine. I prefer to use a bar on the crank bolt and rotate the crank back and forth. Not much movement will be needed. Rotate the engine, not the distributor.

What you are experiencing is normal. Just make [censored] sure you engage the oil pump shaft or you will be doing it again for reasons more than a rebuilt distributor.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer
Have the vacuum can facing the front and the rotor facing ~ the steering wheel with the timing at #1 TDC.

While applying downward pressure (alot is not needed!) you can have someone bump the engine. I prefer to use a bar on the crank bolt and rotate the crank back and forth. Not much movement will be needed. Rotate the engine, not the distributor.

What you are experiencing is normal. Just make [censored] sure you engage the oil pump shaft or you will be doing it again for reasons more than a rebuilt distributor.


I know on the Windsors, you want the rotor pointing toward the passenger seat, not the steering wheel. I assume the 460 is the same.

I've found wiggling the rotor to work quite well with these. I've only had to move the crank when doing this a couple of times.

 

[sasilverbullet]

Oh yeah! Distributor is in, and it runs puuuuurrrrrfect!

Thanks guys!

Michael