Fixing distributor that is "one tooth off"

[TulsaFred]

When setting timing on my 1275 (in a bugeye), the distributor vacuum advance canister hits the oil filter pipe preventing advancing beyond about 5 BTDC.

I have been advised that my distributor is "one tooth off".

I've removed the distrubutor using the 2 bolts on the block retention bracket. I can't see into the hole with the engine in the car but can feel the slots on the shaft with my finger.

What do I do next? How do I correct the "one tooth off" problem from here?

thanks for any advice,

Fred

 

[Bristol401]

They mean the teeth on the shaft that drives off of the camshaft. That shaft is threaded. Get a long bolt to thread into it. Use that to carefully pull the shaft out and rotate it one tooth. You really need an experienced friend to help… and need to be able to see the shaft.

 

[SaxMan]

Speaking of fixing distributors, I had to pull mine off to get at the starter motor as one bolts had loosened enough to fall out and the second bolt was loose enough that the starter would no longer engage. Got everything buttoned back up on the starter and putting the car back together. I tried to replace the distributor but it won't full go all the way back in. There's like a 1/8" lip sticking out, even with the distributor properly lined up and engage. I'm thinking that the clamp may have closed up too much, even though the bolt has been loosened. Before I pry the clamp open, I just wanted to make sure I was on the right track.

 

[Bayless]

The clamp should be right against the ring at the bottom of the casting that stops it. If you have any gap between then the clamp has slipped off and is stopping insertion.