help! sbc can't get stock distributor back in block

I know i am not an idiot, but i am stumped on this simple task...what am i over looking????we are rebuilding a 57 chevrolet, stock 283, took running engine apart, machine shop assembled short block, new oil pump, new stock specs crane cam, same distributor. now we can not get the distributor to drop down into the oil pump. must have put 150 of these motors together.WTF am i missing here?? stock heads, stock distributor, stock intake. i did not check the new stock oil pump, as it was already in short block. the only thing i can come up with is the pump shaft could be burred? my oil primer tool does fit in the distributor and the end is thicker than the end on distributor. i didn't change the gear on the distributor. any idea's, ? cause I'm stumped. thanks cadillac dave

 

Dumb question: did you try to spin the oil pump shaft with a screwdriver?

 

try pressing down on the distributer with your hand and turning the motor over by hand

 

Could be it is just not in sync with the cam gear to oil pump shaft to the dist end....couple of bumps on the starter might drop it in.

 

get a long flathead screwdriver and see if you can CAREFULLY turn the pump gear using the flathead a small bit, and try to drop the distributor in there.
it may take a few turns with the screwdriver, I know, I just did this on my BBC.

just my 02

good luck

 

yes, it turned with screw driver and with primer tool

 

is the oil pump extention down all the way?, if they dont drop down all the way i just keep pulling it up and turning the rotor cap a notch at a time till it does, then i pull it back out and go backwards one notch at a time till the cap is pointing to number one, you can rotate the pump by doing this.

 

so you got it to drop in?

 

I had an engine machined one time and for some reason the intake did not fit "square" on it after the machine work. Don't know if they did not do something right, but it put the distributor in at a slight angle or something. I finally got it in and "set", but it then in turn wore the bushings out of the distributor and then the gear.
If what they said above don't work, check out the vertical line up of it to the intake.

 

tried pressing down while turning over, bumped the starter with my button switch, still no luck, turned the shaft with screw driver and then tried...been trying off and on for 2 days and 2 cases of beer....i am not drunk just pissed???? pissed that the distributor won't drop in and after 2 case of old milwaukee i am still sober,,thats some cheap ass beer. still trying. dave

 

you need a case of Canadian beer, that your problem

 

i had the same issue with my 327..the drive on the dist. would only go in the pump key way , one way.

I turned the pump with a big screw driver 180° and than the dist. would go back in.

it was a bitch until i figured it out

 

Stupid q.........is the clamp ring out of the way!?? LOL! Had that happen too!
Then I forgot to put it back on when I sarted it up and spit the distributor out of the cam!

 

How much space is there between your dizzy bottom and the top of your manifold when it does not fit in? If it's around 3/8" give or take it'ts just not seating with cam gear. Rite now you are pissed & tunnel visioned to thinking the worst, calm down, sobber up & get back to basics man!

 

Can you look down the dizzy hole or use a mirror? Is the cam bearing installed to far forward or back? Just a thought........... while I am haveing a cold one 4 you!

 

yes, its about 3/8" , does the crane cam require me to change the gear on my stock distributor? i removed the intake manifold and it still does not drop in. i will pull the pan tomorrow and check to see if pump is okay. thanks dave

 

Did you check and recheck the distributor gear? Reason I ask cause I had the same problem once and accidentally put the gear on upside down. Just something you might look at.

 

Thinking out of the box here BUT could the rear cam bearing soft plug be installed to far in? You could install a Ford in her but that never helped anyone!

 

or someone is pulling a prank on you and it's a reverse rotation cam..........

 

Don't see how you could put the gear on backwards & still get the drive pin in............

 

oh yum

 

well we pulled the pan and the oil pump, distributor drops right in, the shaft that comes off the pump is to long. is a 283 oil pump shaft shorter than a 350 ? this shaft is 3/8" to long. never ran into that before. i will get another pump tomorrow and see how it compares. thanks for the help. i will keep you posted. thanks for the help guys. cadillac dave

 

You must have BB Chevy & SBC mixed up? BB drive shaft?

 

the sbc is together again. it had a BBC shaft on the oil pump..never had that happen before, and i won't let it happen again....guess i better check the parts a little more carefully, even when they are new , out of the box. thanks for the hgelp. got a case of molsons ice today....everything is fine now cadillac dave

 

I think you may have a chevy II only oil pump. The surface where the shaft mates to the pump sits higher up and thus require a shorter shaft. Found that out when I built a 283 out of a chevy II and converted it to a rear sump pan, pickup and oil pump. Gettin ready to break the cam in-no pressure. Pulled the dist., primed the pump, got pressure. Stabbed the dist. and still no pressure. Had to drop the pan/pump and stick in the longer shaft and all was well. I wouldn't be surprised if that is your issue. The difference in height of the 2 oil pumps is very evident when you can stare at them side by side.
My 2 cents.

Jay

 

Molsons Ice....Your starting up a bunch of other problems! Try Grain Belt Premium, and everything will be fine!

Congrats on the fix....see ya on the road soon!

Matt