distributor installation
 

I am trying to change distributors today. When I removed my old distributor, the oil pump hex shaft started coming out with the shaft of the distributor and then dropped back into the hole. How can I make sure that the hex shaft is properly seated with the oil pump so that I can install my new distributor?:rolleyes:

Jeez that suxx, I hate when that happens! You never said what engine you've got. But, you probably have to drop the oil pan and reinstall the oil pump with the oil shaft in place. Make sure that the retaining ring is installed and then it will stay put. While your in there you might as well put in a new oil pump and a new shaft. Good luck

Thankyou for responding Hobgoblin. I have a 69 coupe with a 302. Some modifications, bored 30 over, 292 comp cam kit, and I believe a high output oil pump. I talked to a friend a couple of hours ago, and he thought it would seat it self once I dropped in the new distributor and turned the engine a little with the crankbolt. By no means is he an expert. I have always liked muscle cars and this is my first one. I am kind of a novice when working on cars, but I am learning to enjoy it. At age 51, I guess I,m a late bloomer. I want the easy way to do this but more importantly, the right way. Does my friends way seem like it might work?

If you have good aim and can drop it in it's seat on the oil pump sure it would work. Turn it with an oil pump primer shaft though to make sure it's seated. There are a few drawbacks of doing this though. If you miss and drop it into the pan well then you have to drop the pan anyway. If you crank the engine to try and seat it, well if it come loose and drops in while the engine is turning you could cause major damage. Then there is the next time you pull the distributor, it's just going to come out again!
Yeah I know it's a pain in the butt to drop the pan. But, for a few hours work you can have peace of mind. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Good luck

If you can look down in the hole and still see the pump drive shaft, then it hasn't fallen into the pan yet. You can one of those retractable magnets to pull it out and then drop it into place. My drive shaft rod fell into my pan one time and to get it back home, I just bought a new one and put it in. It went right in. Then of course I dropped the pan and got it out, which on 69, isn't that bad of a job. Anyway, good luck with it.

Thanks for your help and advice. I have placed the shaft back in the hole, but have not installed my new distributor. I,m going to try to finish up tomorrow. Hopefully!?. I,m getting rid of Mallory dist. and coil. replacing it with MSD pro-billet dist., blaster 2 coil, and a 6AL box. I will reply here tomorrow to let you know how I made out.

Take the gear off of the old dist and replace dist. Twist the rotor to feel resistance.

Id replace oil pump drive shaft too.