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Newby Impala Owner!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Rusty's63Impala, Mar 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM.

  1. I have a '63 Impala SS that was stored for 20 years. It has a 327 bored out 0.020". My brother encouraged me to install Vortec heads off a 5.7 L and an Edelbrock intake manifold. When I installed the new HEI distributer shaft, it went down nice and easy and engaged the oil pump, but when it bottomed out, the top seal/bearing is above the manifold surface by approximately 1/8" . The fork (?) that holds down the distributor isn't sitting flush on the manifold. The engine runs nice but people freak out when they see it, and say "hey, your distributor shaft isn't down all the way!" I think I may have the distributor shaft for a stock 327 in place. Does the Vortec manifold sit lower on the heads than a stock 327? There must be a difference in length of the two shafts. Thank you all for your guidance in this matter.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  2. I'm sorry! This question should not be in my introduction. I'll see if I can move it to general discussion.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  3. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 38,845

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    moved to the main board
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  4. Tickety Boo
    Joined: Feb 2, 2015
    Posts: 1,860

    Tickety Boo
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Moroso 26150 distributor housing nylon shim kit is made for this ;)
    A lot of changes could have happened with that 327 since 1963 o_O decking block, resurfacing heads, bolting on aftermarket intake manifolds can change the way things fit together.
    Tightening down the hold down fork like this will cause it to bind and might cause damage to the oil pump or the distributor.
    I always measure the gap and add enough of these shims so it can't bind,
     
    alanp561 and patsurf like this.
  5. alanp561
    Joined: Oct 1, 2017
    Posts: 5,664

    alanp561
    Member

    Welcome from East Tennessee:).
     

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