Distributor wedge shape

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by mustang1215

On a recently late 30s motor I just got, when I took off the distributor the wedge that goes in to the motor is a rectangle not wider at one end. Is this normal on late 30s ,or early 40s flatheads. I am worried that when i put it back the timing will be way off. Any advice

Something you might want to try is making a couple alignment studs by removing the head of two bolts with the same thread size as your distributor bolts. Install those alignment studs and mount your distributor on those. While applying a light force back on the front of the distributor, slowly turn the rotor with your other hand until the tang on back of distributor shaft correctly aligns with the off center slot on front of cam shaft. Then install one of the distributor bolts to hold it in place while you replace studs with correct bolts.