I have a 87' IROC (305 TPI). when I took the distributor out of the car, I wrapped it in a t-shirt and put it on the roof of my car. When I went to put it back in, I unwrapped the t-shirt and the "rod" in the picture next to the distributor fell out. Does the rod go inside the distributor's shaft?

 

That's the oil pump drive rod. It's not supposed to come out with the dist.

There's supposed to be a plastic collar that holds it secure to the pump; but those hardly ever last very long.

Put it back in with the slot end down. Turn it until it engages the screwdriver-like part of the pump shaft (very similar to the upper end of the shaft) and falls down in there another 3/8" or so.

Then if you're lucky it'll stay centered on the pump and won't slip off to the side and tear itself up.

 

Might be better to buy a new shaft with the steel collar. Cheap insurance while you already have the old one out.

 

True dat... except, that won't go in from above. Major PITA factor multiplication.

 

yeah- gotta drop the pan and take the oil pump off to do this right.. personally, i wouldn't try to run it without the sleeve..
i'd take this oppertunity to put a new standard pressure oil pump in it with a new pickup, and since the engine will be out and easy to work on a timing chain wouldn't hurt..

 

I wouldn't get too stressed over the collar; I'd say about 75% of the Chevy V8s I've ever tore down, it had already disintegrated long ago. Just like this one most likely had, since if it was still intact, it would have held the drive rod in place.

I MUCH prefer to build them using the steel version though. But to go through THAT MUCH work over a disintegrated plastic one, in a motor that was working perfectly fine before, .... seems a bit .... masochistic.

 

Youre right, i just wouldnt be able to sleep at night knowing that the collar is gone. Its a matter of opinion.

 

Thanks for all the replies, greatly appreciated!
Taking Sofakingdom's advice, just put a little grease to keep it in place on the distributor shaft when I dropped it back in. Went right in with no effort, so I think I'm good.
I'm currently on unemployment, so I have 0 $ to spend on parts. I bought the gasket set a while back. Hopefully this works, I need to rebuild the original (has a 96' from a Caprice Interceptor in it right now) LT1 motor for my Corvette.
If it doesn't work, I'm sure I'll be posting.
BTW - even with the blown head gasket, the IROC still ran great; just smoked intermittently. I didn't want to take any chances, so replaced the head gasket.
THX again - Lisa