Distributor issue

[Rroxon7]

I hope someones has the answer to this question.....Because the early nova's have a front sump oil pan, the oil pump is different....The pump has a longer shaft that meets with the distributor.....My question is...Will I have to have a shorter distributor because of this....??? I installed the original distributor but It won't go in far enough.....It's about 3/8 of an inch too long.....do they make a different distributor for the front sump oil pan kits.??..........Thanks ............

[MrPbody]

Rrox,

Melling calls for M73 as the pump. The intermediate shaft (drive shaft) is part number IS-55D. This is a different drive than standard small block. Unfortunately, there are no specifications listed in the catelog. Did you install the Chevy II-specific driveshaft?

Moroso, Canton and Milodon all make a pan to fit the early Nova, that uses all the standard small block parts.

Jim

[NOVAZ27]

The slot in the oilpump/shaft is not lined up correctly. You will have to line it up ith a "LONG" flat blade screw driver. The helical gears on the cam/distributor twist the dist. shaft when you install it. It has been a long time since i installed a smallblock dist. but i think it goes like this. bring the timing marks on the damper & timing tab to top dead center.
align the slot on the oilpump so the slot points to cylinder #1. Now drop the dist. in with the rotor's electrode pointed to #1 cylinder. Account for the dist. shaft turning when installing. It is easy to get off a tooth. Don't forget the gasket between the dist. and the manifold.

NOVAZ27

[Rroxon7]

Originally Posted by MrPbody

Rrox,

Melling calls for M73 as the pump. The intermediate shaft (drive shaft) is part number IS-55D. This is a different drive than standard small block. Unfortunately, there are no specifications listed in the catelog. Did you install the Chevy II-specific driveshaft?

Moroso, Canton and Milodon all make a pan to fit the early Nova, that uses all the standard small block parts.

Jim

Thanks Jim...I called Summit today and spoke with a tech guy....They had two different shafts that fit into the oil pump......One of which is about 1/4 = 3/8 longer than the other.......I had the longer shaft in....I had to take off the oil pan remove the oil pump.....take out the long shaft and...Thankfully I had a few shafts lying around my shop....I intalled the shorter shaft......The distributor fit right in....But what a pain......Thanks for your reply...and keep in ming when your rebuilding a SBC...There's two different oil pump shafts....Make sure you have the right one for your build...............