HEI distrib problems stopping the first lightup of engine!

[wicked_tahiti]

Hay guys.

well im finaly ready to fire it up...

everything is in place to get her running. However iv ran into a problem that i cant seem to sort out..

basicly, i have a proform HEI distrib, and after stabbing it into the block, we noticed that it dont sit flush on the block, we have about 1/8in of space from being flush on the block.
So i cant use the retainer to hold it down..

I have removed and installed it about 20x. i turned the motor over by hand going back and forth over TDC on the compression stroke to try and get it to seat better without any luck.

I can sware that is completely seated as far as i can get it.

I even took it out leaving the gear unit in the block, and used my primer tool to try and gently smack it in a bit more.. again no luck.. it seems to be seated as far as it can go. Im wondering if the body design just dont fit like the other unit...

I have called around and no one can give me a solid answer. Keith, and all that you have recommended here.

My question is..
Should i take it to a pro to look at, or is this common, maybe just use some washers to make up the space and hold/lock the distib inplace?

at this point i would pay someone to come by down a cold one, and assist me in figuring this shit out...

after all these months, i cant see this problem holding me back any longer..

im begging anyone... please come and help this poor RC guy get his boat running...

[PUMP 'HER']

...maybe just use some washers to make up the space and hold/lock the distib inplace?

I'm gonna say no you don't want to do that. This is a new distributor? Your sure its the right one? I'd have someone take a look at it for you. But I think your going to have to wait until after this weekend to have someone from the board help you as most are at Powell this weekend.

[wicked_tahiti]

I'm gonna say no you don't want to do that. This is a new distributor? Your sure its the right one? I'd have someone take a look at it for you. But I think your going to have to wait until after this weekend to have someone from the board help you as most are at Powell this weekend.

Yes, its a new one. I believe it to be the correct one.. its for a ford 351w.

i may just take it down to another friend of mine and see if we can figgure something out..

[PUMP 'HER']

Do you have a BFH?

[wicked_tahiti]

Yes i do.. but i dont believe thats the right choice :)

[PUMP 'HER']

:laugh: Maybe as a last resort.

[Essex502]

This is a new distributor, right? Do you have the old one too? If so, look at the gear on the bottom to see if they are identical. The distributor gear meshes with the gear on the cam and unless you have a dry sump should have a slot on the bottom for the oil pump connection. Make sure these match the old gear dimensions. The gear should be held in place on the distributor shaft but a pin. If they are different, try removing the pin and switching the gears.

Just some thoughts.

[just another payment]

sounds like the distributor may not have engaged the oil pump drive shaft.

[Red Horse]

sounds like the distributor may not have engaged the oil pump drive shaft.

Yeah, mightwant to turn the oil pump. Gonna have to use a priming shaft for that. Basically looks like the end of the dist shaft, just longer. Examine that as well. Prolly something real simple. Check height of gear agains old dist. Could have been put on wrong.

Ask this over on Texas Hot boats. They have lots of mechs over there.

[panic button]

Oil pump is not lining up, common problem. Use a long screw driver to turn it. Point the notch towards the front of the motor.

[just another payment]

Its a ford, it does not have a notch it is a hex shaped shaft, make sure the end of the distributor is not obstructed and put a little grease in it, this will help the shaft slide in when it is lined up. Also are you sure the shaft is seated into the oil pump completly, if not that will also prevent the distributor from going all the way in. Did you install the shaft into the pump and then install the pump into the engine or did you try to drop the shaft in from the top? If you tried to drop it in from the top, it is not seated, because there is a small retaining clip on the shaft and it will not clear the block, it needs to be installed from the bottom with the clip up by the block not by the pump, this clip keeps the oil pump drive shaft in the block when you remove the distributor. Just some more thoughts Benjamin. Hope this helps.
Bob

[panic button]

Never mind then... Just use a BFH and pound it in.

[wicked_tahiti]

Well, after turning it over, it started to seat better, im just about seated perfectly.

IM not sure why its not all the way in, but its getting there, im going to keep fiddling around and see what happens.

I did install the shaft correctly from the bottom with the retainer tword the block.

thanks, and ill keep you posted

[PUMP 'HER']

Come on, get this thing running!

[wicked_tahiti]

Here are some images of the boat, ill get some video today of it running.

[PUMP 'HER']

Ahh, with the distributor in the front like a real engine should be. Do you have interior ready to go in or do you still need to build that?

[just another payment]

Looking good, but I think someone stole your interior

[wicked_tahiti]

No, its still here.

I had to rebuild some of the seat bottoms, so thats what i have been doing.

The upholstery still needs to be done, but the carpet (as you can tell) is 5 weeks old :) anyone know someone that they can recommend to redo my 4 seats at a decent price, nothing fancy....
I might go ahead and put them in if i can get my tank fixed, just so i can take it out this season and meet some of you guys... (as long as i dont get laughed at if i need a <looks around> tow )

I also need to find a welding shop that can weld this alum tank from 1979.

It seems to have a crack in one of the welds in the front of the tank. I found it right away when i poored 5gals in there and saw a drop.
I had to remove the tank from the boat with the gas in it.. WHAT A PAIN!!

anyways, if anyone knows someone, please let me know, i have made a couple calls but nothing promising so far...

BTW- please make sure anyone you recommend can speak English, so that im able to communicate :)

Thanks guys.