distributer help

Be prepared for some frustration, but be diligent a patient.

On a RH engine, move the rotor clockwise from final position about 45 degrees. Try to install distributor. the rotor will begin to move to final position the gears start to mesh. Now for the frustrating part...the distributor may refuse to fully seat. the problem is that the oil pump hex shaft is not lined up with the hex socket in the bottom of the distributor shaft and thus will not engage. You will have to use two smallish and long flat blade screw drivers to reach down and rotate the oil pump shaft a few degrees and try again. May have to do this a few times. Eventually you will get the distributor to fully seat. Hopefully the rotor will move to your reference mark (You did mark the rotor position before you removed the old distributor...didn't you?). If the rotor is not in the correct position, pull distributor back out and try again will making sure the distribotor gear is one tooth more in the direction you need to go. You will also need to rotate the oil pump shaft accordingly.

If you forgot to mark the rotor postion when you pulled the old distributor, you will need to put the engine on #1 cylinder TDC (compression stroke) and then line the rotor up with the #1 spark plug wire. If the engine won't run and spits through the carb when trying to start, then you have the rotor 180 degrees out of position (On #1 plug wire on exhaust stroke). Good luck.

David F...Thats what I was looking for....and no I removed the distributor before I read that I needed to mark it! I assume I crank the engine buy hand to get @TDC for cylinder #1.

Have not played around with the distibutor much....other than setting timing...How to I determine #1 cylinder is TDC?

Thanks!!!

All 351 ford engines whether RH or LH the distrubtor turns CC.