Some time ago I was encouraged by Devon to make a simple "how to" guide for the installation of the distributor. Let's see if anyone have use of it, I'm open for your feedback. I used an installation of a HEI into my 455 as example. 1. With the cap on the distributor decide which terminal is your number one, note where the terminal is, in my case the one closest to the vacuum advance canister. 2. Remove the cap, turn the rotor so it is positioned exactly where your terminal was. 3. Starting from this point, turn the rotor 45 degrees counter clockwise. That is the distance that the helical gear will rotate it back when engaging the cam gear. 4. Maintain relation of rotor and distributor and turn upside down, now look at the "pin" inside the gear when you are pointing the vacuum canister in your desired direction, my 45 degrees. 5. As shown in the picture, pin inside the gear is 30 degrees off an imagined horizontal line. 6. Turn the oil pump shaft to have the corresponding 30 degree angle from an imagined motor centre line. 7. Make sure that the motor is at TDC on cylinder 1. 8. Lower the distributor into the timing cover, keep vacuum canister pointing where you want it, and wiggle the rotor to feel it engage the cam gear, let rotor turn clockwise as the dist goes down. If the distributor stops with the o-ring a few millimeters above the timing cover, pull the dist up again, turn the oil pump shaft slightly and try again. If the distributor stops with the o-ring touching the timing cover, then the pump shaft is properly engaged, apply some pressure and it goes down to the flange. If seated properly and the rotor isnt pointing on the position of your selected terminal (within a few degrees), you have missed a tooth, pull the dist up and start over.
