distributer installation

I am having problems installing a MSD billet aluminum distributer in a small block chevy. The distributer will not go all the way down, but ends up approx 3/4" up from the manifold. This distributer was praviously used in a big block chevy with not problems. It was not a tall block , so it should work in this small block also.This motor was just rebuilt, and the builder claims that the oil pump drive shaft is new and correct. Anyone have any suggestions?

if you know for sure that the distributer will fit in your motor, it is probably hanging up on the oil pump drive. put your distributer in with the rotor pointing about a tooth off of where it should, the teeth on the dist. and the cam should mesh a little bit, then turn the motor over by hand. if the rotor doesnt turn when you turn over the motor, the dist. probly isn't going to go in at all. ususally when the dist. hangs up on the oil pump drive the dist. goes in all but about an 1/4 in.

I would also double check the oil pump drive because I believe that the Big Block drive is longer and could have been mistaken for the Small Block one.

Good Luck

Im using the same msd dist u have. took it out of a
sm blk put in a 454 works fine. does your dist have
a collar with a set screw, if so you might try adjust
ing that.
r dobbs

umm, all it is, is that its not ligned up right, put the distributor down, and then when it stopes,(with the cap off), turn the rotor and it will slip down. im asuming that the engine has not been run before, i hope you are aware of how to install the distributor corectly cuz you cant just drop it in. if you dont know how to put it in corectly then ask and i or someone else will explane.

holly crap. PEOPLE NEED TO STOP DIGING UP OLD THREADS. LOOK AT THE DATES. but now i know even that doesnt worked cuz i didnt look at the year.

LOL man. ;)