How to install a distributor
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==Distributor installation== | ==Distributor installation== | ||
[[File:Heiterm1.jpg|thumb|170px|]] | [[File:Heiterm1.jpg|thumb|170px|]] | ||
| − | + | *Put the distributor cap on the distributor. Make a mark on the distributor housing that lines up with spark plug terminal post #1 of the distributor cap. You can use a Sharpie. On a coil-in-cap "regular" HEI, #1 will be the 2nd. spark plug wire terminal clockwise from the square part of the plastic coil cover that sticks out. | |
| − | + | *Pull the cap back off, line up the rotor with the mark that was just made on the distributor housing. Now look at the other end of the distributor, pick a groove between two teeth, and mark the housing there. Now, rotate the shaft counterclockwise (from the top) till the bottom of that groove is lined up with your mark on the bottom of the housing. You could make secondary mark on the distributor at the top again in case it gets disturbed in the process of dropping it in. | |
| − | + | **Another way to do this is to make the mark for #1 on the distributor body like explained above, then with the distributor out of the engine, turn the rotor counterclockwise about 2" from the #1 mark made earlier. This is about how far the rotor will turn back clockwise as the distributor is installed, because of how the distributor gear is cut. | |
| − | + | *One thing that may prevent the distributor from fully seating is the oil pump drive shaft. If you look at the bottom of the distributor shaft, you will see what looks like a wide flat blade screwdriver blade just inside of the gear. This is what engages with the oil pump drive shaft, and if the pump shaft isn't aligned with the distributor shaft, the distributor cannot fully seat. | |
| − | + | **To remedy this, take a long screwdriver and insert it down through the distributor hole in the intake and turn the pump drive shaft. It may take a couple tries before the distributor shaft and the oil pump drive shaft mesh, but they will, eventually. Take your time and be patient. When everything is correct, the rotor will be pointing at the line on the distributor body made earlier, and the distributor mounting "collar" (what the distributor clamp bears down on from above, and what seals the distributor to the intake with a gasket on the bottom side) will be resting on the intake (don't forget to use a gasket!)- NOT suspended above the intake. | |
| + | *Another thing that can cause the distributor to not fully seat is if the distributor is bottoming out against the oil pump drive shaft. This can be caused by incorrect parts but is most likely caused by excessive milling of the heads and/or block. More on measuring and correcting this [http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Hot_rodding_the_HEI_distributor#Distributor_height_adjustment '''here''']. | ||
==Top dead center timing check== | ==Top dead center timing check== | ||
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[[Category:Engine]] | [[Category:Engine]] | ||
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