Logo
FULL SITE MENU

how to install a Distributor mercruiser 228

B

Barney96

Member
1979 mercruiser 228 - 305 4bbl

not able to installed the Distributor - rebuilt

the timing mark is at zero degrees TDC number one cylinder - the oil pump shaft is very loose - it wobbles - every time l
install the Distributor and rotate the housing to just when the points are opening -the rotor always lines up between two posts
i am able to rotate the pump shaft slot but it wobbles

Would moving the crankshaft just a bit help or is the pump shaft no good

Thank you for time
 
With the timing mark at zero on the balancer, the rotor pointing to #1 spark plug terminal/wire on dist cap, if the oil pump slot does not line up and allow the dist to aeat all the way. This is NOT a problem.

As long as your sure rotor to #1, crank engine over by hand or a remote stater as much as it takes to get dist to seat.

You dont have to line up the oil pump and dist slot male/female. As I described above will allow it to align on its own.
Once dist is seated, tighten clamp til its snug but the dist can be turned to adjust timing once started.
Now if the oil pump has issues thats another story....
 
Thanks for your reply

After following your advice here the current
Situation
The distributor is installed and seated properly
The #1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke
The timing on the harmonic balancer is at 0degress
The Rotor is pointing at the cyl #1 post on the distributor cap - l had to rotate the distributor housing a bit in order to have them lined up true

Points - the breaker arm tab is sitting on the rubber block half way between the two Lobes

The Distributor is very close to it original position and the same for the spark plug wire routing

Thoughts are appreciated
 
Did you start it & put a timing light on it?
Set the timing to specs, then set dwell & reset timing to specs.
 
In case you dont know,

Any change in point gap setting (dwell)
Also changes the timing, so as said, confirm timing, confirm dwell then reconfirm timing. Adjust as needed in each step.
 
Back
Top