Distributor Drive

[wtm442]

Removed the distributor the other day to take off the vacuum advance canister to clean and paint it. It was all rusty.

This is the first time I've ever removed a small block Ford dizzy. Plenty of Chevy's (boooooo), numerous Olds (what???) and some other brands.

When putting the dizzy back in, it did not want to engage the drive rod. The drive rod in the oil pump was actually bent so it was almost touching the outside collar. Tried prying it over with a big screwdriver - no way!

After swearing and cussing for about 20 minutes, it finally dropped into place. I was really close to hitting the top of the dizzy with a lead hammer!

Finished up some other work today (rotor, cap, plugs) and started the car.

ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH

The dizzy is one tooth offset. I've got the advance unit almost all the way under the radiator top tank to get it to run properly.

OK ..... I can remove and reinstall the distributor or I can move all the plug wires one place on the cap.

Suggestions? (yes, the wires are running to the correct plug and terminal on distributor).