Ok, I've already asked this on my local message board but no one is of a mind to even give me a hand in this issue. I think that THEY think I am nuts, but I know what I see when I see it.

Issue: I have a 1989 Iroc, original motor was a 350 TPI with an 87+ casting 1 piece Rear main seal block. The engine I bought is a 1970's block (I believe) 385 stroker. (if anyone can guess as to when it was made by this little fact, the oil dipstick tube is on the drivers side, as opposed to the Passenger side) So... when I drop the MSD PRO-Billet Ready-to-Run distributor down the hole, the collar that is supposed to fit relatively snugly in the hole in the Lifter Valley, does not. It wobbles around as if there is an extra ~1/8" clearance. When I stick the Distributor in my old block, the hole in the Lifter Valley retains the collar pretty snugly. By now, you might be able to see my concern. If there is that much play, what is to stop the distributor from moving a little bit under heavy load. THis could cause the cam drive gear to get eaten alive or many other things.

Before you ask, Yes it is seated on the oil pump drive shaft, and no, there is not a nylon bushing.

HELP!

 

Bad intake manifold casting/machining?? Oil pump drive shaft problems (not the engagement as you say, just the shaft itself)? Just guessing.

 

Nope, like I say about the Distributor... Its not the intake or the oil pump drive or anything. The hole in the block is larger than "I" think it should be. My friend that I bought the engine from said that he had no problems running an MSD Unilite or a stock GM HEI distributor. (He just got back with me on this today) I guess maybe it will be perfectly fine and I'm obsessing over the smallest details.

 

Does it move around with the intake on?