Can't get the distributor back in!

[TurboTony]

After fitting the new O ring I cannot get the dizzy right home. I think that it may not engage with the oil pump drive. Taking the measurements that I can with the limited space available I think that this is the problem. The distributor will go down but the not last half inch or so. Any ideas? The distributor was really tight to get out, by the way.

Cheers
Tony

[phillpot]

Have you tried a socket on crank pulley and turn engine a little either way while pushing down on the dizzy?

Should be enough to get everything aligned, then put pulley back to tdc or where ever it was when you started and line up the marks you made on the dizzy before pulling it out.

[TurboTony]

Thanks - I'll try that.

[GreenV8S]

You need to get the orientation of the rotor arm correct, and note that it will turn as you withdraw the dizzy and turn back again when you refit it, so the 'fitted' orientation will not be the same as when you have the dizzy out. But it is important that the rotor arm orientation when you start to refit it, is the same as when you finished removing it (and also that the crank position hasn't moved). If it isn't exactly spot on you can turn the rotor arm slightly until it engages, but beware of the risk of inserting it a tooth out (which would then need you to turn the dizzy body by the corresponding angle to get the timing right).

[TurboTony]

Thanks both. Mikes' suggestion worked, although I had to turn the crank some way because there are only a few oil pump drive splines. Why they had moved is a mystery as the engine has not been turned over since I removed the dizzy.

Good advice about the orientation of the distributor once it comes out. I marked mine and took photos as well. It is so easy to forget which groove in the body the rotor arm should be when back in place, or was that really the scratch mark I made to show its position when removed. I fired the engine and it sounds as sweet as ever.

Just waiting for brake hoses to be delivered and will be back on the road.

Cheers
Tony

[Top Gear TVR]

hi, aparts from struggling to get it back in - did it go easily enough? i too have a leaky one. Did you get the o-ring from ford?

[TurboTony]

Yes - part number is still current and was in stock in the main Ford warehouse at Daventry. Part number is 1490140. £0.63+VAT. So any Ford dealer should be able to order this. When I took out the old O ring it was hard distorted and brittle! Mikes' suggestion of turning the crank worked - quite a long way was needed to get the dizzy to engage. I marked everything and took photos as well.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Tony

[Top Gear TVR]

thanks, plenty of little jobs to do. gearbox mount (i hope as i have shaking when pulling away from standstill) and this and that!