HEI dizzy install issue!

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TroutFJ

TroutFJ

Joined
Feb 17, 2017
Threads
19
Messages
157
Location
Colorado
Hey folks. So, I have everything else done, new tranny, desmog, headers, exhaust, Weber carb, and everything. The last thing is to get this dizzy installed and I can start her up!
The problem is I've spent all day and last night trying to get the damn thing to seat to no avail. I've done everything I have read on here including the following:
-Set at TDC (yes I can see the line :) ). #1 on the rotor was pointing at #4 cylinder. Made a mark on the engine to where it was pointing. Aligned the oiler slot a few degrees clockwise of the mark and slid the new dizzy in. It engages the drive gear no problem but won't go the last 1/4" into the drive slot. Take it out and adjust the drive slot (50 times) and can't get it to seat. Adjusted tooth position and everything. Didn't work...
-Did all of the above then had a buddy bump the body while in gear and putting light pressure on the dizzy no luck
-Pop cranked the engine while putting light pressure. No go
-Jacked it up and turned the crank via the front crank pulley, a little at a time while putting downward pressure on the dizzy, STILL no luck.
- Measured the shaft, the gear position, the width of the flat head area all pretty much the same as the old one. (Just to check I got sent the right one)
-tried putting the old one in and no luck either.

Before I get the discussion of why I should have stayed with the stock one is there any thoughts of what i could be doing wrong?!

My only thought is to pull the oil pan and see if something fell loose or something but nothing seems to be pointing to that. Everything is lined up in the shaft and the oiler slot rotates with just slight pressure.

Thanks for any ideas or hints guys!!
 
Hey Output. I did exactly that. The new one is actually a hair smaller in both dimensions.
 
Oh and confirmed TDC by holding my finger over #1 hole till I felt compression.
 
Ha! I'm a noob but not that bad! (I actually double checked myself to be sure I wasn't doing something stupid like that lol).

I don't think it's the o-ring. I was putting quite a bit of pressure on it when it was "lined up".

I really do try and research as much as I can before posting for help but I tried everything I could think of and have read about to no avail.

By the way Output.. thanks for the help on the engine bay ground wire!!
 
When inserting the dizzy the slot should line up at the start. The turning during install rotates the oil pump where it needs to be because they have already lined up. Reading your notes it seems like you might not be doing that? Just want to check.
 
Silly thought. What if I ground a gentle taper on the end of the engagement tip? I really don't like modifying things like that though!
 
TroutFJ said:
Silly thought. What if I ground a gentle taper on the end of the engagement tip? I really don't like modifying things like that though!
Click to expand...

Don't do that.

Do you have grease or oil on the distributor gear teeth?
 
Hey kilnetime. After I tried it a few degrees clockwise of where the rotor was pointing I tried lining it up in line with the rotor and that didn't work either. I was making the smallest adjustments to the oiler slot and tried and tried
 
Yeah I oiled the gear and o ring several times through the process as it kept rubbing off.
 
You're probably installing the distributor correctly, but here's some instructions I posted a while back. Same info that's in the manual.

Timing light

BTW, is the HEI distributor the same length as the OEM unit?

Maybe try inserting the oem distributor again (without oring to make it easier). If you can get that to seat correctly, remove it & then try the HEI exactly aligned as the oem was when it was pulled. Try a test install without the oring to make it easier. If you get it to go in all the way, carefully remove it & reinstall the oring.
 
I figured with the work you've finished you weren't...but I've gone on some benders of turning wrenches for hours on end and have missed routine things before. Good to rule it out! Seems like you have the process down right, I normally twist the rotor CCW to help it thread down the gear while it slides in, I'm spitballing an estimate of 15 to 20 degree rotation of the rotor in the last 1/4" or so. A good way to line up oiler slot is to put distributor in to where it won't go any more, note where rotor is pointing, pull dizzy back out and note position of shaft in relation to rotor, put oiler slot in that position. If that makes sense. OS posted a great visual aid.
 
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Thanks output. I will try it without the o ring tomorrow. Maybe it is hanging up there... I measured the length of both shafts and they check out. The new one is about 1.5 mm shorter however.
 
Just a bit of further info. I got the dizzy from Manafre with the carb as a package. Not some random online store or eBay.
 
This has been pretty frustrating. Especially after six weeks of really pushing (and learning a ton.) I've got the big blue ox all ready to go and it comes down to a stupid dizzy that's gonna break me lol

The people on here are really class act folks! I've been part of other forums where it seems posts are just an opportunity for people to try and prove how stupid ya are. Not here, everyone genuinely wants to help!

Thanks for all the help and advice!
 
Yeah Mweb. That's what I was doing/trying. I was thinking that cause I was putting pressure downwards while turning the flywheel that maybe the pressure was keeping the oiler slot in the same position in relation to the tip (the tip was dragging the oiler around with it) so I tried micro movements up and down while the flywheel was gently turned hoping to find the slot. Wish that had worked!!
 
Yeah so close!

I live in Evergreen but my shop is in golden. You in Colorado too?
 
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