I have a situation with my distributor

[james]

I have a Ford msd fe distributor #8594. This for my 427 Fe engine in my 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint. It has the Edelbrock Intake Manifold. If you look at the picture the distributor does not fit for sealing even using the o-ring. There is about a 1/16 gap as you can see.  "https://i.imgur.com/2gIq4yy.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> Also notice on the intake just to the left of the distributor there is a hole that I guess has to be threaded and pluged. Any ideas or suggestions? Is it possible I have the wrong distributor. Thanks

[cattleFEeder]

1 your dizzy is not seated, spin it counter clockwise by hand with just a little pressure and you can feel the cam teeth it might only go all the way down in one spot.

[blykins]

Your distributor is not even close to being seated fully and you're missing the distributor seal.  It's a tapered seal that goes into the undercut on the distributor.

The hole to the left of it is for your bypass hose that goes to the water pump.  If you're not using a bypass hose, just plug it.

[winr1]

James, if you need a seal, send me an address and I will mail it tuesday


Ricky.

[Pentroof]

Measure the mating OD of the distributor where it fits into the block below as well as the input for the oil pump drive. I've had a couple that needed a slight polish on the OD or had residual material where the hex was broached. I like my distributors to drop in.

[sixty9cobra]

you might need to turn the motor to get the oil pump drive shaft to engage in the distributor, then it will drop all the way down.

[ramblinman]

I'm new here so this is my first post.I've been working on these engines for quite a few years and one trick that was taught to me by an older gentleman who was actually working as a Ford mechanic when these engine were first introduced was to trial fit the distributor when you first place the intake on the block.It is a little tricky with the cast iron intakes (heavy!) but the aluminum ones are a little easier. You can still move the intake around just a little before you cinch down the bolts.At that time the distributor should fall in place.You need to be careful but it does work.I always did this before putting any gaskets or sealer on.Once you have the exact location you can scribe marks in several places so you can line everything back up like you did in the trail fit up. I don't know if this is the problem you are running into but it has happened to me in the past.

[JamesonRacing]

You're correct, the hole in the front of the intake manifold needs to be plugged since you're using an electric water pump.  Tap the hole to 3/8NPT and insert a pipe plug.  Otherwise all your coolant will end up on the shop floor very quickly.