55 Buick nail head Distributor timing

[oldschoolauto]

I need advice on how to install the Distributor in a 1955 322 Buick Nailhead correctly.

Thanks!

[Bhigdog]

Get the #1 cylinder at top of the compression stroke with the timing mark aligned to 5 deg. Align the dist. rotor to point to the #1 cylinder wire ( #1 is the most forward plug on the passenger side). With a long screwdriver align the slot in the oil pump to line up with the tang on dist. shaft. Insert dist in hole so vacuum pipe alignes with advance. As the dist. gear engages the cam gear it will rotate a few degrees so carefully watch the that the rotor is aligned with #1 when the dist. is fully seated. If dist. does not seat the last 1/2 inch or so the tang is not engaging the oil pump. Don't force it, remove the dist. and turn the pump a few degrees one way or another till it seats. It's easier than it sounds but will probably take a few insertions/removals before everything lines up and drops into place. Retime the engine when you are done. If it does not start or backfires you are off a tooth or more...........Bob

[oldschoolauto]

Bob,

Thanks a million...I got it stabbed on the first try and the car started right up...had to move the oil pump shaft a bit clockwise [img]<>/cool.gif[/img]

[Bhigdog]

Excellant! And thank you for reporting back with a thanks. So many times I see someone spending their time answering some post looking for help and the person never even acknowledges the advice. Thanks again and glad to help....Bob.