[Dale H]

I went to test fit a GM HEI distributor into my new 468 with an Air Gap intake manifold and I made sure the distributor shaft and oil pump were mated correctly. The distributor base would not sit flush to the intake. There is about a 3/16" gap. Is this typical? I would have thought that with as common as this combination is that a special adaptor ring or a slip collar distributor would not be needed. Am I wrong? It's just a standard 4 bolt 454 block.


Thanks,
Dale

 

[Munch69ProTour]

You are probably not engaged on the oil pump correctly. Try removing the distributor and turning the oil pump shaft with a long screwdriver a few degrees at a time until the distributor shaft engages totally with the oil pump slot.

 

[72LS3Z27]

I like to lightly clamp the distributor down,and spin the motor with a ratchet until it drops into the oil pump shaft.
I have ZERO luck with the screwdriver method,lol.

 

[El Guapo]

I like to lightly clamp the distributor down,and spin the motor with a ratchet until it drops into the oil pump shaft.
I have ZERO luck with the screwdriver method,lol.

It takes some practice. The last time I did it, I literally moved that shaft 1/16th of an inch to get the whole thing to seat down properly. And that was using an oil pump primer!!!

 

[bracketchev1221]

Try rotating it first, but look at the distributor body as well for scratches. It could be a little oversize and getting stuck in the block bore. I had an MSD distributor that would go almost all the way and then bind up. One of the areas was slightly oversize. Sanded it slightly and it dropped in.

 

[Calculated Risk]

3/16 is a pretty big gap if it is fully seated.

Did you deck the block or surface the heads excessively?

 

[69 Malibu]

I took an old distributor and ground the teeth off the gear, you can drop that in and move the oil pump shaft wherever you need it.

 

[novaderrik]

is that with or without the gasket in place?
are the intake gaskets in there, or is the intake just sitting there?
it should drop right down to the intake without the gasket there.
is the oil pump driveshaft fully engaged into the oil pump?

 

[ezthere]

any up date on this?