305 distributor troubles

Jun 02, 2007 5 Replies
S

I'm having some trouble re-installing a distributor in an '86 chev 305 truck. It overheated and blew a head gasket. When I took the head off there were 2 cylinders full of antifreeze. I marked the distributor and rotor when I pulled it out but now I cant get the rotor/distributor back to that same mark.



So (stupid me) I just thought "well no big deal - I'll just rotate the engine to find tdc on #1 cylinder (with compression) and the distributor should just drop in and point to #1 cylinder". But now for some reason I can only get the rotor to point towards (approx) the #2 cylinder. I can pull the distributor out and rotate it 180degrees and it will drop in nicely - although its now pointing at the steering wheel. But...those are the only 2 positions that I can get the distributor to fully engage the gear. At any other position the gear just seems to jam.



I'm guessing that the timing chain might have slipped when it overheated? Does anyone know if the distributor can only be installed in 2 different positions?


Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
A

Pull the distributor out, count the number of teeth on the gear. That's how many positions it can be installed in.

Now, since you moved the crankshaft, are you at TDC ignition or TDC exhaust?

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
G

Your problem is the oil pump drive rod. Since you have the engine at number one, take a long screwdriver and insert through the intake to turn the drive rod. Its driven by the cross pin in the bottom of the distributor. It'll be frustrating, for sure, so be patient.

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
S

Well I peered in the intake hole and saw the oil pump drive slot - which was pointing right at #2 cylinder. So I took my long screwdriver and turned it to point to #1. Then looking into the bottom of the distributor I could see there was a matching drive tang! So I dropped in the distributor and it lined up perfectly with the #1 cyl.

Thanks so much for the great answers! It took me about 5 m>> I'm having some trouble re-installing a distributor in an '86 chev 305

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
W

You can lso do it the old school way, bring it up on number one compressions, drop the distributor in as you tried it wont go in all the way and then just bump the starter and it will drop in the rest of the way.

Whitelightning

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
B

Or, find any place it will drop in and move it one tooth at a time to the proper place.

Al

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required