Howdy all,
I've done a bunch of searching but haven't found a definite anwer just yet so I thought I would ask.

I have a '87-'91 remote coil distributor, part #1103749, that I am trying to put on my engine with an '85 model intake manifold, part # 14081005. I have not put the manifold or the distributor on the vehicle yet but when I test fit the distributor to the manifold it seemed to fit pretty loosely. (1/8" play from side to side???)

My question is: Is this newer distributor not compatible with the older intake or is this normal? My experience is that distributors fit fairly tightly in their space.
My distributor looks like the one pictured below.

Any advice from someone who has experience with this kind of upgrade would really be appreciated!!
Thanks!

 

It should work. I've had both the large cap and remote style distributors in my intake

 

Thanks for the info wackytower!

Did it fit tightly at the intake?
Is the fit of the distributor to the intake not as critical as the fit of the distributor in the block just above the drive gear? If that's the case I may be worried about nothing.
Thanks!

 

I don't ever recall trying that before or paying much attention to how much play there was, but an 1/8th inch seems like a lot...

But, I'm going to head out to the shop and try a fit for grins...I have the same dizzy on the bench, but only "old" intake I have is 25 years old...but I'll try it as well as a Accel SuperRam base.

Back in a few.

 

I'm back...yeppers, easy 1/8th of play on the new base with the dizzy...must be to account for intake to head aligment...guess that's why we need to use the gasket

 

1/8" for you too huh? Yep, I would guess the difference in heads must be it. I'll try an old HEI unit I have this weekend too. Thanks for your investigation work! I appreciate it! I'm sure I'll have more questions!

 

I have a new style distributer with remote coil in a 35ish year old Edelbrock manifold. It was a loose fit, but I did my best to center it and tightened it in place. It has been working good for about 5000 miles now.

 

Bit late, but depth is important, if the dizzy is too long, it'll bottom out, and you'll need to install spacers.
symptoms:
1.) timing won't stay put.
2.) won't start, or stay running after a few starts, or revving.
3.) distributor damage, rotor to cap contact, broken button.

This can happen when replacing the intake (with a new, or used one,) improper machining of heads, and or block.