Distributor Fitment Gap?

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GasDaddy140
Posts: 327
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:57 pm

Distributor Fitment Gap?

Post by GasDaddy140 »

Hello, and hmm...
My 1965 140 distributor seems to bottom out with a gap to the housing like a hard stop. What's wrong? Seems to turn well. Any ideas out there in Corvair land?
I've ordered a universal Chevy dist clamp, didn't find one in my boxes.
Thank You!
Getting closer to lighting it up atop my greasy work table.
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Alan Duquette
Rohnert Park, CA
"When in doubt...Hit the gas!" A.J. Foyt.

1965 Corvair Corsa (field find) Project
1971 Dodge Sportsman "shorty" 318 van
2015 Nissan Juke S
Jerry Whitt
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Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:42 pm

Re: Distributor Fitment Gap?

Post by Jerry Whitt »

The distributor shaft has not engaged the oil pump drive. Using a remote starter button, crank the engine a little, the shaft will drop in place.
Jerry Whitt
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN
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65 Monza, purchased new
65 Corsa convertible
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GasDaddy140
Posts: 327
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:57 pm

Re: Distributor Fitment Gap?

Post by GasDaddy140 »

Thanks Jerry, I cranked engine around counter clockwise with a wrench while wiggling the rotor and nothing happened. I'll look at it closer tomorrow.
Alan
Alan Duquette
Rohnert Park, CA
"When in doubt...Hit the gas!" A.J. Foyt.

1965 Corvair Corsa (field find) Project
1971 Dodge Sportsman "shorty" 318 van
2015 Nissan Juke S
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GasDaddy140
Posts: 327
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:57 pm

Re: In Now! Distributor Fitment Gap?

Post by GasDaddy140 »

Wow Jerry, I literally just went outside and pushed it in with my finger! Thanks again!
Alan Duquette
Rohnert Park, CA
"When in doubt...Hit the gas!" A.J. Foyt.

1965 Corvair Corsa (field find) Project
1971 Dodge Sportsman "shorty" 318 van
2015 Nissan Juke S
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bbodie52
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Re: Distributor Fitment Gap?

Post by bbodie52 »

If you look at the illustration below, you can see the distributor shaft engaged with the oil pump gearset near the bottom of the engine. The bottom tip of the distributor has a tang that must engage with the slot in the drive gear. Without proper engagement, the distributor drive gear would sit too high and would not be properly dngaged with the drive gear on the crankshaft. Also, you would have no oil pressure without the distributor shaft turning the oil pump gearset.

If you were to remove the distributor and look down the distributor mount opening on the engine, you can see the slotted oil pump drive shaft at the bottom. A long flat-blade screwdriver can be used to turn the gearset to position the slot so that the tang at the end of the distributor will engage as you slide the distributor into place.
Oil Pump Drive.jpg

The distributor hold-down hardware looks like this, with a nut used to secure the clamp assembly...

ImageImage
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
Image 1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
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GasDaddy140
Posts: 327
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:57 pm

Re: Distributor Fitment Gap?

Post by GasDaddy140 »

Thank You, Brad!
Alan Duquette
Rohnert Park, CA
"When in doubt...Hit the gas!" A.J. Foyt.

1965 Corvair Corsa (field find) Project
1971 Dodge Sportsman "shorty" 318 van
2015 Nissan Juke S
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