Oh crap, flubbed distributor install 85 Chevy Silverado!@#$%

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CarGuy - 30 Nov 2004 22:36 GMT

Ok, I actually have installed a distributor before on several pontiacs
and this should have been no different but...

I made multiple markings to insure that I pull the distrubutor straight
out and put the new one straight back in yes? I absolutely did not move
the truck or turn the crank. But when I sat the new distributor in
place the rotor position is about 1 inch clockwise away from the
original. Is this OK? Is there anyway to recover from this without
going though all of that TDC riggamarole? Or am I ok and should I just
crank it up?

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451ctds - 02 Dec 2004 19:00 GMT

It's not uncommon for the oil pump shaft to turn a little when
wiggling out the distributor, the helical cut of the cam / distributor gears
make this challenging, especially when it's a seldom performed task.
A junk distributor, with no cam gear works well on many engines, but not
on GM's which use the distributor gear to turn the oil pump shaft.

Rotate engine to align timing marks at TDC, locate # 1 spark plug
terminal, install distributor so rotor points to # 1 when fully seated.

Since your engine * did not * turn, I'm guessing the oil pump shaft
turned a little, preventing the distributor body from fully seating.

Running the engine without fully seating the distributor will cause
no oil pressure, forcing the distributor into the hole by using a
breaker bar to tighten hold down clamp will break the plastic coupler
that holds oil pump shaft to oil pump.

Figuring out how much to turn the oil pump shaft is pure
guesswork, be patient, and be rewarded.

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