[1967_Red_Stang]

Hi

I was excited about my purchase of the HEI distributor until I started reading the forums and learned that the bulky size is problematic and makes it difficult to adjust timing after installation due to low clearance or close proximity to the heater hose and thermostat cap.
This is the picture of the distributor
FORD SMALL BLOCK 289-302 MUSTANG HEI DISTRIBUTOR 50K:eBay Motors (item 330374149162 end time Nov-10-09 19:14:57 PST)

Do you guys have any advice about this?
Also, can someone recap to me how to install a new distributor in the motor? Also, if I screw up the installation would I risk ruining the engine or would it just not start?

Thanks
MJ

[1967_Red_Stang]

Hi
Well.. since I did not get any replies and all the reading I have done is advising against HEI distributors, I decided to return it.

Can someone please tell me though, if I screw up putting the existing distributor back can I cause major damage to the valves?

Thanks

[silver69]

No problems on the install, rotate engine to "0" on the crank damper and #1 piston is all the way up to top dead center, this must be on a compression stroke so you can remove the spark plug and stick a compression tester(or your finger) and slowly rotate the engine with a pull bar on the crank pully bolt NOT THE STARTER and if there is no compression found then that is an exhaust stroke, keep turning until it builds compression and then when the timing pointer is pointing to "0" you are ready to put in your dist.
Find #1 on the dist cap and this refers to the number one piston sparkplug wire. this is where you want to get the rotor button pointing when you seat the distributor completely, remember the rotor will turn a little as the dist goes in because of the pitch of the gears on the drive.
No you will not damage your engine if you do this wrong it will just run like crap(if at all) and backfire and pop, but no harm.