Help refitting distributor please

Post by **Jpwill7675** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:49 pm

Hi - I am rebuilding my engine (SE5a) after a break of few months following shoulder surgery and can't quite remember how the distributor fits back into the cylinder head. The distributor seems to be able to slide down until just below retaining spring clip. When I locate the metal block in the "logical" position in a recess its too high to secure the distributor in place. I was wondering if the spring clip should be located in a specific orientation and if the metal block does locate in the recess or lower down. I attach a few photos in case that might clarify the issue.

Thanks for any help or advice.

Regards,

Jim

JoeySully · Post by **JoeySully** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 9:01 pm

: 20190116_210051.jpg (64.07 KiB) Viewed 1253 times

Does this help?

JoeySully · Post by **JoeySully** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 9:03 pm

The bolt goes into the small hoop of the spring.

Post by **Roger Pennington** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 9:45 pm

Like this:

: 31827276307_64fcf24bdd_o.jpg (108.37 KiB) Viewed 1234 times

Post by **Roger Pennington** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:07 pm

Oh, and this may be a daft question, but your photos seem to have been taken without the inlet manifold fitted? It's normal to fit that before the dizzy (I believe it may be possible, but the dizzy gets in the way)

Post by **Jpwill7675** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:19 pm

Thanks Roger and Joey. That's very helpful. I was just trial fitting the distributor. I will fit the inlet manifold first. As a separate question, should I apply any liquid gasket on the cylinder head? I read that it should be applied around the water ways and another that suggested just to the cork area in the valley between the heads. What is your recommendation?

JoeySully · Post by **JoeySully** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:28 pm

When i did mine i put some sealant around all waterways and around the oval ports too,just a smear not loads. Plenty at the cork parts though.

It will help if you trim the head gasket tabs that are sticking out beyond the head there in your picture.

I think i used a bit of superglue on the inlet gasket so it didnt move as i was assembling. Just a dot at each corner

Post by **scimitargtc** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:47 pm

Am just about to fit new Accuspark dizzied to my 79 6a and am I correct in believing that I must ensure the pencil drive off the oil pump must engage correctly in the dizzie? I’ve checked that the rotor arm is moving on a quick spin on the starter but oil pump runs off the dizzie drive or am I totally bonkers. Have a sump gasket ready if I need to drop the sump to engage pencil drive....

rebel alliance · Post by **rebel alliance** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 12:35 am

Just unplug the coil then spin it over and watch your oil pressure gauge if it shows pressure your engaged...it should go in the dizzy once its fully seated on its own...

Post by **Oldconn** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 8:37 am

When refitting the dizzie, there should be an O-ring at the interface where it clamps to the cylinder-head. If this is missing or damaged, you will have a permanent oil-leak when the engine is running. It's 30mm diameter(from memory) and 3mm thick.

Post by **scimitargtc** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:31 am

Thanks rebel it’s seated fine first time which good luck does not generally goes my wAy pressure gauge reading so good to finish the job thanks

Post by **Jpwill7675** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:46 am

Thanks Joey. I will be assembling the engine top end today. All the best, Jim

Post by **housemartin** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 8:50 pm

Oldconn wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 17, 2019 8:37 am
When refitting the dizzie, there should be an O-ring at the interface where it clamps to the cylinder-head. If this is missing or damaged, you will have a permanent oil-leak when the engine is running. It's 30mm diameter(from memory) and 3mm thick.

Hi
I am also rebuilding my essex, could you or anyone else post a picture with the rubber 0-ring fitted as i had to clean a lot of oil from around the front of the engine. I am at a loss to know where it goes.
Also when I attach a drill to the oil pump pencil drive and build up pressure should I see dribble or spray of oil at the rockers or does that require the crank to be turning?
Cheers
Dan

rebel alliance · Post by **rebel alliance** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:14 pm

There a picture of a dizzy with the O ring on this thread

Post by **J55 JGL** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:23 pm

There is no O ring on the distributor and you will have to turn the engine over with the starter to get oil up to the rockers