• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Distributor not going all the way down

J

Jim Liddle

Member
Local time
8:25 AM
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Messages
18
Reaction score
16
Location
Lebanon TN.
I am building a 383 and when I put the distributor in it’s not going all the way down.
I pulled the oil pump drive out and the tang on the distributor shaft is too wide go all the way in the oil pump drive. I am using a MSD pro billet distributor and the oil pump drive shaft came from 440 source. I also tried a stock distributor and it is too wide to go in as well. Should the distributor be able to go all the way to the bottom of the groove in the oil pump drive?

FC53F321-EFCF-49B9-A950-A82B053E57BF.jpeg 6F1308CF-47A3-4413-9497-028A52387C3A.jpeg
 
yes. The 440 source oil pump drives are really tight on some distributor shafts. I usually do the easy fix of just taking (filing/grinding) a bit off the width of the distrubitor shaft so it sits all the way down with a snug fit.
 
While it won't necessarily all the way to the bottom of the slot, the distributor should seat all of the way down. Have you verified with the original intermediate shaft? Mancini sells Melling shafts and there is even one for aftermarket distributors IIRC. Did you replace the aluminum bushing with a new bronze one? if so, verify that you have fully seated it to the block.
 
I like 440 Source, had good customer service from them...but....

10 years ago I quit buying 440 Source intermediate shafts.....for fitment problems like that.
 
Jim Liddle said:
I am building a 383 and when I put the distributor in it’s not going all the way down.
I pulled the oil pump drive out and the tang on the distributor shaft is too wide go all the way in the oil pump drive. I am using a MSD pro billet distributor and the oil pump drive shaft came from 440 source. I also tried a stock distributor and it is too wide to go in as well. Should the distributor be able to go all the way to the bottom of the groove in the oil pump drive?

View attachment 1054131 View attachment 1054132
Click to expand...
Is it a 383 distributor?
If it's a 440 distributor going into a 383 engine, no amount of beating with a hammer will make it go all the way down. Just verifying what we are talking about here. :)
 
Fit the distributor to the shaft with both parts on the bench. Also fit the distributor without the O ring before final assembly. There are 2 different O ring diameters depending on year. If it's still is to high. either the shaft is too long or the drive is to tall. I'll bet it's one of the first 2 items.
Doug
 
Thanks for the info. I am using the correct distributor for a 383.I thought it would be ok
To fit the distributor to the shaft I just needed some confirmation.
 
If the Source shaft slot is not the correct dimension, I'd be concerned about the other dimensions too. Just sayin.
 
I had to open the slot in the last Cop bronze gear I used. No big deal. At least it fits snug.
Doug
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Moparjack 489
MSD Pro Billet distributor doesn’t fit in my 1968 440 RB-Block with Trickflow 240 heads ….
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
Moparjack 489
Moparjack 489
AR67GTX
Hemi motor mount holes in block?
Replies
2
Views
708
AR67GTX
AR67GTX
Runner 68
Pre-Oil or Not to Pre-Oil
2 3
Replies
53
Views
3K
thehemikid
thehemikid
1
  • Locked
FOR SALE Big block oil pump/distributor drive and rocker shaft hold down/spacers
Replies
3
Views
717
1966post
1
Longknife
Anothere oil question,,,
Replies
10
Views
447
rickseeman
rickseeman
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top