i just installed a new MSD streetfire distributer and when i looked at it closely i noticed that it doesnt sit level. it is higher on the passanger side than the drivers side.

is this something that i should be worried about?

it is definetly seated in the oil pump drive and the cam gear.

Is this normal on sbc's?

this distributer is considerably larger than my old one and maybe thats why i never noticed.

 

The cap not seated properly on the body?

 

well if you say the dizzy is flush on the intake, then the rotor must not be securely attached to the dizzy therefore probably being the reason why your dizzy looks lopsided...

 

i double checked that the cap is on properly, and it sits flush on the intake ill try to post some pics to make it clear.

 

I'm eager to see pics, it sounds intriguing.

 

i made an ''album" of some of the pics i cant figure out how to add them to the post. hope that helps

click on my profile and veiw albums

 

The distributor body is aligned by both the block and the intake manifold and cannot bend to any extent.
It's hard to say from just the pics, but it looks to me like the whole engine is tilted a little. If it bugs you take a look at the engine mounts.

 

first off, thank you for all comments and interest

i have checked at multiple points with a level. the top of the intake is square. ive put the level on the dizzy body, rotor, and cap and they are all off. im sure that its seated on the oil pump shaft and the cam gear.

i guess my main point is still unanswered. in small block chevys, does the distributer sit level and and is it cause for concern if it doesnt?

 

i figured it out. i installed my old dizzy and that one sits off square just like the new one and i rocked that one for a year.

 

ok,so whats a dizzy????

 

distributor...

 

The distributor sits at almost exactly the same angle as the oil pump shaft. Ever wonder why the oil pump is angled? That should explain why the distributor is also angled.

 

this mean the oil pump is faulty?

 

i hope not. i dont feel llike droppin the pan

 

that sounds like it be a PITA... I think the engine would have to come out...

 

i drove it for a few months with no oil pump problems. the dizzy gear is seated well in the cam gear and it sits flush on the intake. why wouldnt that be good enough?

also, when i installed the oil pump, the drive shaft seemed to go through a hole in the block that lines it up. i dont understand how that could be "faulty"

and theres no way in hell im takin the motor out already. i just put that f***er in last fall.

 

No. You're over-reading Vader's response. The angle of the dist is determined by the bore in the block and the intake. These bores are lined up with the oil pump shaft. With your dist out you can see that the dist hole is slightly tilted on the intake. The angle is normal-6 degrees if memory serves...

 

THANK YOU NAF!!! that is what i thought he was trying to say. the faulty oil pump comment just threw me off and i just wanted to be sure.