Is the Distributor In? (2 Viewers)

[VA Mountain FJ40]

When you work alone its hard to be inside and out at the same time. So when you take a dizzy out - do it on TDC #1 compression - look where the rotor is pointing exactly before you pull it , then look inside and see where the slot is.

Thanks for the response! It helped me solve the issue.

 

[VA Mountain FJ40]

When I was struggling with my distributor and finding the right place in the oil pump, I found that 7&5/8 inches was the correct depth. I put a flat tip screw driver/ old distributor shaft in marked the depth and then measured out that depth. Then I compared that to the new distributor and put a mark on the new distributor. But that flat bracket and and the shoulder should be sitting flat on the block.

Thanks for the response! It helped me solve the issue.

 

[VA Mountain FJ40]

Knowing is half the battle, if you quit or don't try you can never fail. Persistence is a good character trait - knowing when to take a break before causing a brake is golden. Well Done.

Thanks for the kind words. THey help. Had to take quite a few breaks before sorting it out. Aggravating because I expected it to be a job like the last couple of projects where putting the dizzy back in was a 3 minute operation, not a 4-5 hour head scratcher.

 

[VA Mountain FJ40]

Now that you have the dizzy seated all the way down. I would crank it over with the starter just to verify that the oil is pumping before you put the cap back on.

Engine is out of the truck on a stand. No battery, no starter. Been hand cranking it over.
I want to get the engine / trans / t case back in the truck before putting oil in the newly built motor. It’s crazy tippy on the cherry picker coming in and out empty, and 8.5 qts oil is weight I can add after the unit is on the mounts. I will verify oil pressure before starting the motor, though. Preciate the reminder.
FWIW, I squirted motor oil in the cylinder cavities before rotating the rebuilt motor without a full sump.

 

[VA Mountain FJ40]

It's likely seated. My "exposed" machined surface appears to be the same as yours. I've got plenty of oil pressure and 1,000 miles on the truck since I installed it.

Note, I fastened my clamp as shown to ensure both portions of the clamp grab the same diameter surface:

View attachment 3895579

Thanks for the response! It helped me solve the issue. I really appreciate the picture you took. It was a big help.
After “practicing” the seating exercise a couple of dozen times with both the new and old dizzy, with and without o rings, sorting out the offset on the oil pump slot to mate up with the dizzy shaft end (knowing it will rotate a bit CCW during insertion), I was finally able to seat the new unit deep enough to get the o ring flush into the block.

I did have a small gap between the base clamp and the block, but it was a bit smaller than in your picture. Probably room for a washer shim underneath but seems stable as is. That’s not a bolt needing piles of torque. It was VERY good for me to know your successful approach and validated performance results. Plus, I feel better knowing it’s not just me.