The Ford Barn

JayJay · 04-03-2021, 01:53 PM

So last night I bemoaned that the distributor I pulled out to rebuild has a bad one-piece shaft, and I will reinstall a new two-piece shaft. I know the engagement on the lower end of the lower shaft is eccentric where it goes into the oil pump. Is there any particular trick to installing a distributor lower shaft into an intact engine? My thoughts were to lower it down on a magnet stick, then once it's all the way down pull the magnet and put down a screwdriver to turn it until it engages into the oil pump shaft. Then install the distributor with upper shaft the "usual" way. Does that seem about right? I can't remember if there is a solid path for the lower shaft through the valve area or if it''s open and I should plan to possibly pull the valve cover if I can't get the shaft lined up with the path to the oil pump.

Thanks, all.

JayJay

04-03-2021, 01:53 PM	#1
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,110	Installing distributor lower shaft So last night I bemoaned that the distributor I pulled out to rebuild has a bad one-piece shaft, and I will reinstall a new two-piece shaft. I know the engagement on the lower end of the lower shaft is eccentric where it goes into the oil pump. Is there any particular trick to installing a distributor lower shaft into an intact engine? My thoughts were to lower it down on a magnet stick, then once it's all the way down pull the magnet and put down a screwdriver to turn it until it engages into the oil pump shaft. Then install the distributor with upper shaft the "usual" way. Does that seem about right? I can't remember if there is a solid path for the lower shaft through the valve area or if it''s open and I should plan to possibly pull the valve cover if I can't get the shaft lined up with the path to the oil pump. Thanks, all. JayJay __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan It isn't a defect, it's a feature!