Distributor Help...

Went to install a new point set in my Prestolite, and the point set retaining screw won't tighten down. (or come out!) So, I guess I'll be installing the Delco unit I purchased quite some time ago. The question I have is about the fit. I went to "test fit" it but it will not seat all the way down past the o-ring. I don't have any obvious interference. Any suggestions? Also, will the Prestolite hold down clamp work on the Delco? The clearance is very tight for bolt access with my power steering brackets mounted, so I "assume" I'll need to purchase an offset distributor wrench to tighten it up. Once I get it running, I'll do the Pertronix conversion (if I can ever get it seated properly!!) but want to make sure the Delco is good before I spend any more $$. Any help in this would be GREAT...

 

Make sure the oil pump slot is lined up. It's kind of tricky because the distributor shaft turns when you install it.

 

The Delco dropped right in for me but I seem to recall you have to have the blade on the tip of the distributor line up with the slot on the oil pump below for it to seat properly. I used the same clamp as with the Prestolite without a problem.

 

if i remember correctly the two don't have the same alignment on them. so if you pointed the button in the same direction when you dropped it in you might be off by a tooth like eveyone said.

 

Ok I think its pretty clear that you have to line up with the oil slinger. I had this same problem with my new Dist. sliding past the O ring. The O ring seemed to fit and didn't have any slack but... I finaly took the o ring off my old dist. and replaced the two. Slid right in. The new dist. must have been assembled on a monday and somone put the wrong O ring on it. See if this helps.

 

That may be the case. I was just trying to install it in the same location as the old unit. I guess I'll rotate the engine so the #1 piston is on the compression stroke, and align the rotor up with the #1 wire terminal. Hope that works...

 

The rotation of the distributor doesn't matter as long as 1) the rotor points at the #1 wire when #1 is at compression TDC, 2) the rotational order of the plug wires is correct, and 3) you have enough rotation so that you can set the timing. If you're feeling brave, pull all the wires off, turn the engine to #1 compression TDC, and insert the distributor to whatever rotation is most convenient. Then line up #1, put the wires back in the correct order, and set the timing.

hth

 

Well, I got the Delco swapped in today since I was "down for the count" yesterday. A bit of a PITA to install the cap as it tries to contact the fuel pump line(s) when adjusting the timing. Also had to purchase a distributor wrench, never needed one with the Prestolite; just a 9/16" socket and extension. Seems to have worked ok, but have a little miss while driving and a backfire from the right side cylinders only on decel. I just purchased new plug wires (Accel 8MM) and will probably cut them to fit and install tomorrow. Any ideas on the miss/ backfiring?

 

Sounds like timing is off a tad. Do you know what it's set at?