Distributor won't seat all the way
#1
Distributor won't seat all the way
I just got done doing a head gasket job and when I go to put the distributor in it slides in the gear and in place and when I turn the crankshaft it turns with no problems but it has about a quarter of an inch gap between the head and the distributor what do I do?
#2
If it's a 3VZ-E you're exactly 180° off. The gear on the distributor shaft won't properly mesh with the gear on the camshaft, and you won't be able to push the distributor until it fully seats. I know you say it is in gear, but it isn't. Spin the crank one more time and try again.
If another engine, then disregard. I wouldn't know. I'd be guessing.
If another engine, then disregard. I wouldn't know. I'd be guessing.
Last edited by MudHippy; 04-05-2016 at 11:21 AM.
#3
If it's a 3VZ-E you're exactly 180° off. The gear on the distributor shaft won't properly mesh with the gear on the camshaft, and you won't be able to push the distributor until it fully seats. I know you say it is in gear, but it isn't. Spin the crank one more time and try again.
If another engine, then disregard. I wouldn't know. I'd be guessing.
If another engine, then disregard. I wouldn't know. I'd be guessing.
#4
When I install the distributor it has that gab like I said before about a quarter inch but I can still turn the crank shaft and The distributor will Turn like it is in gear and there's no resistance
#5
Then your cam timing could be off. Speaking of which, BTW, why are you not telling me you're sure you're not 180° off, because you have all the timing marks lined up(camshafts, and crank)? Did you accidentally install the timing cover and water outlet first? And now you don't want to take it apart again?
If so...bad news. Your cam timing is probably off. So you'll need to back up a few steps and try again.
Just out of curiousity. Are you able to get the distributor fully seated by rotating it, or just the shaft, to the right or left a bit slightly first? That would eliminate the possibility that one or both of the gears is damaged. As well as verify the cam timing is off.
If so...bad news. Your cam timing is probably off. So you'll need to back up a few steps and try again.
Just out of curiousity. Are you able to get the distributor fully seated by rotating it, or just the shaft, to the right or left a bit slightly first? That would eliminate the possibility that one or both of the gears is damaged. As well as verify the cam timing is off.
Last edited by MudHippy; 04-05-2016 at 01:55 PM.
#6
I might have the answer here for you!!
I hate to say it but i think you might have swapped the cylinder heads for one another i had the same problem and couldnt sit the distributor all the way only about a quarter inch off, but would still rotate. Enyways i ended taking the heads off and tried the right side cam on the head i had on the left side, what do you know it goes all the way down so there just probably put the wrong head on the distributor cam.
#7
YT Community Team
I think Yova just nailed if for you.
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#8
Registered User
I hate to say it but i think you might have swapped the cylinder heads for one another i had the same problem and couldnt sit the distributor all the way only about a quarter inch off, but would still rotate. Enyways i ended taking the heads off and tried the right side cam on the head i had on the left side, what do you know it goes all the way down so there just probably put the wrong head on the distributor cam.
#10
The bolt.
I just got done doing a head gasket job and when I go to put the distributor in it slides in the gear and in place and when I turn the crankshaft it turns with no problems but it has about a quarter of an inch gap between the head and the distributor what do I do?
I even used washers and locking washers, plus thread locker. The bolt that goes straight down from the head onto the timing cover (right under where the distributor gear goes) I put washer, lock washer, smaller washer. This created enough height to block the dist from going all the way in. As soon as I lowered that bolt, the distributor went right in. If that's the case, you will need to remove the timing cover.
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