Distributor 1939 Deluxe
 

I am hoping someone can give me some advice about this probably elementary question. So I removed the distributor and coil (original) from my flathead. Now I cannot seem to reinstall it nor the backup identical distributor either. When I removed it I did have to do some tapping with a rubber mallet to get it free - normal as far as I know. When lining up the key and pushing it in it will not go all the way in, leaving about 1/16" gap on one side or a bit less if I straighten to be flush on by slowly tightening each bolt. It should be fine but I am reluctant to tighten further as there is some resistance to the tightening. I mean it just came off the car! And as mentioned the back up acts identically. So I am guessing to just tighten it down??
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dave

Re: Distributor 1939 Deluxe
 

Ya know it will go in two ways , one is correct and the other is off a few degrees and wil cause a broken housing.
First of all get the surfaces really clean and use thumb to rotate rotor un it feels right . If it dont feel right it is not !!!

Re: Distributor 1939 Deluxe
 

Bubba's,
Yes, I am aware of the offset of the key and slot, it will only go on one way. If it is opposite it will not even come close to sitting into the recessed circle in the block. I visually confirmed that. Everything is very clean as it was when removed. Will use the thumb, that might help. But with the distributor that close to seating there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. The key is in the slot and there is no dirt and it comes down to a bit less than 1/16" when hand tightening the bolts. If it is in that far it would seem that it is in.

Re: Distributor 1939 Deluxe
 

Thank you.

Re: Distributor 1939 Deluxe
 

then carefully pull it in the hole with the bolts .............I do know a guy with tons of cases if ya need one

Re: Distributor 1939 Deluxe
 

OK, thanks. Odd thing is it came off the car and acts exactly like my backup. Will tighten carefully and appreciate your advice.
Dave