How to Install a Chevy Distributor

The distributor on a Chevrolet rotates as a result of contact with the gear on the rear of the camshaft. There is a recess in the bottom of the distributor with a blade in the center that is intended to mesh with the oil pump drive shaft, thus driving the oil pump. The distributor should always have a gasket underneath, where the housing contacts the intake manifold to prevent oil leaks. The firing order on a Chevy V8 is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, and the distributor rotates in a clockwise direction.

Things You'll Need

• 9/16-inch wrench
• Long common screwdriver
• Standard common screwdriver
• Spark plug socket and ratchet
• ½-inch drive ratchet
• Set of ½-inch drive sockets

Instructions

1. Establish top dead center on the No. 1 cylinder. Remove the spark plug in this cylinder. On a Chevy, the odd number cylinders, 1-3-5-7, are on the driver's side; the even numbers are on the passenger side. Push a finger over the spark plug hole in the No. 1 cylinder, and have a helper bump the starter a little at a time until compressed air begins to push your finger away from the spark plug hole.

2. Turn the engine by the crankshaft bolt, using the ½-inch drive ratchet and a socket. Line up the mark on the crankshaft balancer with the V cut in the timing plate on the timing chain cover. The engine must be on top dead center on the compression stroke on the No. 1 cylinder. Reinstall the spark plug and wire.

3. Install the distributor, making sure the gasket is in place, and with the rotor facing the No. 1 cylinder. With the curvature of the gear on the distributor and camshaft, the rotor will turn about 30 degrees when meshed. Place the distributor shaft in the hole, but hold the distributor high enough so that it does not contact the gear. Point the rotor toward the No. 1 cylinder, then rotate it counterclockwise about 30 degrees and insert the distributor. If the rotor does not point in the right direction yet, lift the distributor and turn the rotor a little farther and insert it again until it points to the No. 1. If the rotor keeps lining up wrong, remove the distributor all the way, and insert the long screwdriver in the hole. Turn the oil pump drive a little, then try the distributor again.

4. Install the distributor hold-down clamp and bolt. Loosely tighten the bolt so the distributor can still be turned.

5. Rotate the distributor so that the vacuum advance, if there is one, is an equal distance from the firewall and the carburetor. Lay the distributor cap on, and pay attention to a spark plug wire terminal location in relation to the rotor. Once you've found a spark plug terminal that is very close to the rotor end, make a mark on the distributor housing directly below the center of the terminal location. Remove the cap, and rotate the distributor housing so the mark just made is exactly under the rotor end. Move the distributor housing counterclockwise another 5 degrees, and tighten the distributor hold-down bolt with a wrench.

6. Install the distributor cap, paying attention to which terminal the mark is under and which terminal is closest to the rotor end. Use a screwdriver to tighten the hold-down screws on the cap.

7. Install the No. 1 spark plug wire in the terminal in front of the rotor end. Install the remainder of the wires in a clockwise direction using the firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.