Editing Hot rodding the HEI distributor (section)
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==Distributor height adjustment== [[File:Jegs pn 555-40082 nylon shims.jpg|thumb|[http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/40082/10002/-1 Nylon distributor shims]]] Bottoming of the distributor against the oil pump drive shaft (or on some engines the thrust surface of the block) has to be checked for and corrected if it exists. Bottoming of the distributor usually occurs when the block, heads and/or intake have been milled. This allows the distributor to sit lower in the engine. On a Chevy (and any other engine where the oil pump drive shaft is driven off the end of the distributor shaft), checking to see if the distributor is bottoming against the pump may be done by installing the distributor (cap and rotor removed for the test) in the engine with no gasket. Hold the distributor down against the intake (or block) with one hand and with the other hand lift up on the top plate of the distributor shaft (usually where the mechanical advance mechanism is located) to be sure there is some play and that the shaft isn't "solid"- which would indicate the distributor was bottomed out and there was no clearance. As long as the shaft has up and down movement, you may proceed with the rest of the distributor installation: *add a distributor gasket *install the hold-down clamp *connect wiring If there is no up and down movement in the shaft, nylon distributor shims (shown above) need to be added until there is 0.030"-0.060" play. The nylon distributor shim kits are sold through Summit and Jegs, etc. from Moroso, Mr. Gasket, Jegs brand, and others as well. The kits typically contain 0.030", 0.060", and 0.090" or 0.100" (depending on brand) thickness shims. A gasket can be used under the shims. But do not use paper distributor gaskets stacked together as shims. They will soak with oil and compress more than when dry. <br style="clear:both"/>
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