Distributor Cap not locking

[1970camaronut]

Question: I am pretty novice at car repair but trying anyway.


I bought a new distributor cap for the 350 chevy and the two screws that lock the cap to the distributor are not turning enough to engage the screw to go down and lock the cap to the distubutor . I have tried the move the cap around to engage it but it still hits the side of the distributor. Any suggestions and is this common?

I bought at AutoZone made sure it was for the correct engine.

thanks

 

[Tempest1]

I suspect the clamps are sticking in the cap and not going down far enough. With the cap removed, push and turn the screws down until they drop further in the cap. You should feel them fall in and turn easier. I have had this happen with caps before, not unusual.

 

[1970camaronut]

Thanks. When the cap is removed the screw is able to turn 180 degrees and allows the screw to go down in the cap. But when I try to install on distributor the screw hits the side of the distributor.

 

[FlaJunkie]

Lock the pins down before you put the cap on...then, release them.

 

[Gary S]

Also, make sure you have the cap oriented correctly. It fits only one way.

It drops right into place when you have it right, and the retainers will rotate easily into place.

 

[1970camaronut]

Thanks Fla Junkie, got the cap on!

 

[TommyRS70]

There is a spring under each hold-down "screw" that needs to be depressed to lengthen it so the L-shaped leg of the "screw" will engage the distributor. Rotate the screw until it hits the distributor, then push down and rotate into lock position. Make sure of course that the cap is located correctly on the distributor first so that the tab on the cap is in the notch on the distributor.


Posted this too late! Glad you got it,

 

[1970camaronut]

thanks for all your replies. I love this site.