Oil Pump to Distributor Shaft

[Leedanger]

1979 MCM 260 4BBL
5.7L 350CID
Serial# 5477889

Had this motor on an engine stand and when I flipped it over the oil pump to distributer shaft slide out and hit the floor. A piece of it chipped off so I have a new one coming. Is there anything specific I need to know about reinstalling the shaft....?...other than lining it up correctly anyway. I would think that if I have it installed incorrectly I wouldn't be able to get the distributor back on correctly but maybe that's not the best test. I haven't had to replace one before...just want to make sure it's as straight forward as it appears.

 

[achris]

Re: Oil Pump to Distributor Shaft

1. Assemble pump and extension shaft to rear main bearing cap, aligning the slot on top end of extension shaft with drive tang on lower end of distributor drive shaft.

I guess that means making sure the slot for the dissy is in the right place. Nothing special there...

 

[Leedanger]

Re: Oil Pump to Distributor Shaft

Thank you sir as always. Ya I read the same thing, I didn't really understand why it reads the way it does. My plan is to just drop it in from the top, if I take the oil pump off and install them together like it states, it's just gonna slide right back out of the top I'd dare guess. I guess they are assuming that the distributer is still installed....

 

[achris]

Re: Oil Pump to Distributor Shaft

Thank you sir as always. Ya I read the same thing, I didn't really understand why it reads the way it does. My plan is to just drop it in from the top, if I take the oil pump off and install them together like it states, it's just gonna slide right back out of the top I'd dare guess. I guess they are assuming that the distributer is still installed....

That would be my take on it too... Just turn the shaft to align with where the dissy slot will be when ya put it back in...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Oil Pump to Distributor Shaft

Sounds like the shaft retainer was left off (or broke off) at some point. The retainer is usually installed from the bottom so that the shaft isn't able to come out when the distributor is pulled. Just be careful placing the shaft back into the oil pump, as it is possible to drop the shaft into the oil pan on some engines.