Can't Get Distributor In

[Uncle Gump]

If the distributor you're trying to put in is the one you took out.... it WILL go back in. Just have to get it right.

 

[86RangerXL]

It is TDC...

Now the issue is getting the oil pump drive shaft to line up with the distributor drive.

Look at the bottom of the distributor shaft... you'll see it looks almost splined. Those splines have to align with the oil pump driveshaft. I'm sure that's where you're help up...

How would I align them?

 

[Uncle Gump]

The oil pump drive will stay stationary. So... with the distributor installed as far as it will go... turn the crank a little by hand. The distributor will turn a little and eventually the splines will align. When it lines up... it fast falls together. Not many things on an engine require force.

 

[86RangerXL]

The oil pump drive will stay stationary. So... with the distributor installed as far as it will go... turn the crank a little by hand. The distributor will turn a little and eventually the splines will align. When it lines up... it fast falls together. Not many things on an engine require force.

Just tried that several times while turning it a whole 360 degrees while pushing or gently tapping with a small rubber mallet. Didn't budge

 

[Uncle Gump]

Well... you never want to use a mallet.

I'm not sure what else to tell you.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You sure you font have the distributor hold down clamp preventing it from going down enough?

 

[86RangerXL]

You sure you font have the distributor hold down clamp preventing it from going down enough?

Well... you never want to use a mallet.

I'm not sure what else to tell you.

To answer your first message, It's a tiny rubber mallet with a head the size of a quarter and weighs as much as a screwdriver. I was just using the weight of it and gravity to tap the distributor, not actually using any force, but I don't know what hold down clamp your talking about

 

[Uncle Gump]

Well these usually require minimal force... they just fall into place.

I went back to your picture... you took the clamp off when you pulled the distributor.

I will say too... it kinda looks like you have a bead of sealer that didn't even get squeezed by the manifold. And dude... you really should have decreased things a little before you even started this project. The hold down bolt hole is packed full of grease and dirt.

I promise you though... that distributor should gi right in. Maybe get a buddy with a bit of experience come give you a hand.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I had this happen on my 2.9. It was because there was so much shit in and around the hole it wouldnt go in

 

[Eddo Rogue]

If it came out... it WILL go back in.

Thats what she said!

Sorry couldnt help it...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Gotta spin your way in. A chunk of grease will hold the oil pump dead center. I used a long BBQ skewer stick to dab it down in there.

 

[RobbieD]

A chunk of grease will hold the oil pump dead center. I used a long BBQ skewer stick to dab it down in there.

So that was the "secret sauce" for the kebabs . . .

 

[ToddH]

I did that for cylinder one and am pretty sure I stopped it at TDC. It still refuses to go in further than barely on the gear no matter what direction I put the rotor at while at TDC. Just to confirm, this is TDC, right?View attachment 88802

Hey question, in the photo what is the round “peep” hole sight just below the pointer used for? Do you use it at all ?

 

[bcschief]

Maybe when you pulled the distributor the oil pump drive shaft came out of the oil pump. If this is what happened, you will need to pull the oil pan and the oil pump and put the driveshaft back in the oil pump I would also recommend you get a new oil pump driveshaft because there is a clip on it to prevent this from happening.