I'm reinstalling my distributor on my 90' V6 3.1L engine. The distributor base is about 1/16" or 1/8" away from the mating face. I put the distributor in and turned the engine over with a socket hoping the dizzy would fall in place.

I'm not sure i understand the screwdriver technique. My oil pump shaft doesn't have a groove in it at the top of the shaft for turning. Do I take the screwdriver and run along side of the shaft as far as it will go and try and move the hex portion of the shaft. I can't tell where the hex portion starts but I assume it is below the visual portion and below where the shaft goes into the pump.

 

The 3.1's are different then the SBC distributor setups. As you found there is a hex drive instead of the screwdriver style oil pump drive. And there is an O-ring to seal from oil in place of a gasket.

If you haven't replaced the O-ring do that before dropping the distributor in. Oil leaks from that area are common on these engines.

Because of the O-ring they just don't drop down. Need to push the distributor down into place. Put some oil on the O-ring first.

RBob.

 

i just want to confirm your reply.

i need to push the distributor down in place? push it down hard or let the hold down bolt do it? is a gap between the 2 faces ok ?

 

Ah, I fixed my post. Instead of "just just drop down", it is "just don't drop down."

Do not use the bolt to pull it down. You should be able to push it into place. With the hex drive you should be able to rotate & wiggle the distributor to get it into place.

If you have an auto the TV cable is also there. It may get (or a wire) between the distributor and block.

RBob.

 

i had to persuade the dizzy with a few taps with the rubber mallet. the car started and ran fine. i forgot to look at the oil pressure. i check the timing next.