Hi, folks, just a quick question:

I'm replacing my distributor on my 87 F150, and when I pull the old one out, the hex shaft which drives the oil pump is still connected to the bottom of the distributor.

How does this shaft come apart from the distributor? Does it just pull out, or is there some kinda screw or retainer (I didn't see one)?

Also, I would just assume that I should re-connect it the same way to the new distributor, and not push it in the hex hole first, then put the new distributor over top of it, am I right?

Thanks!
Eric

 

The shaft should just pull out. The way it is supposed to go in is shaft first then dist., but the shaft isn't supposed to come out from the top as far as I know, I always had to get it from oil pump side and install same way.....

 

Whenever I've pulled my distributor out, the shaft always stayed in the oil pump.

 

Me too. I think there is a sort of "cap" on the top that is supposed to prevent it from being lifted out the dist. side.

 

Well, I guess that brings up another question for me... if the shaft stayed connected to the distributor when I pulled it out, should I now be worried? I know the thing has to be down in the oil pump... I guess I'll shove it back down in there and hope for the best... but is this a major problem?

 

No, it's not a major problem, although I'd look into getting a new shaft since they are so cheap.

 

What motor do you have?

I have the 4.9L I6 & the shaft does come out with the ditributor,

Ant...

 

Yes, I have the 4.9 6cyl also. Good to know that I am not crazy, and have not completely destroyed the oil pump, if yours does the same!

 

Yes,
Mine is the same....

The shaft is connected to the distributor & both go into there place as one piece.. Could be a little tricky getting it back it but it will go.. Make sure to get the #1 piston on TDC then align the rotor to its position.. If I remember correctly # 1 one the distributor is like 5-6 Oclock position.. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.


Ant....

 

Thanks, Ant! I appreciate the info. I guess if the shaft won't come off the old distributor easily, I'll just pry it off with something, and then jam it into the new one... then carefully put the whole works back in its little hidey-hole. Eric