The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Distributor fit

Well I have a dilemma I hope someone can help me with.

I have a 53 GMC, 228 engine. The model number on the distibutor is 1112390. I checked the parts book for my truck and it also shows a 1112390 model number.

I bought a replacement distributor from a parts place that was for a (53-62) Chevy-GMC 6 cylinder pickup. It is a delco remy model number 1112430.
So, I removed my old distributor and attempted to install the new one, but it appears to be too large. The two distributors look identical. I have removed and reinstalled the old one 5 or 6 times and it drops in perfectly. It meshes with the gears everytime. The new one appears to get stuck about 3 inches before it should. I know I have the new one lined up correctly. Is it possible I have the wrong distributor?

Thanks
Dale

Put a micrometer or dial caliper on the machined diameters of distributors to compare new to old. Sometimes .001/.002" difference will keep parts from fitting properly. Diameters can fool the eye - even side by side. I keep a dial caliper handy in the garage. Good luck - let us know what you find.

Check the cam gear it could be different if you take you're old dis.and the new one put them next to each other and check the dia and count the teeth on each somtimes the gears will not be the same .also check the angle of the teeth.

Pete

Delco Remy changed numbers a lot. Most of it had to do with the advance curve. A 1960 book calls for an 1112390 as original on a 1953 and an 1112400 as a service distributor. But there are a lot of numbers that will work. I would measure it to make sure though. The 1112430 does not appear in a 1960 book.

If the replacement Mic's out identical.
Try removing the o ring
Pic

Had the same issue on my 235 with the replacement distributor I purchased through Napa.

Once I removed the o ring it dropped right in.

Good Luck

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will mic the shaft and count the teeth.

Dads50, Thank-you for the picture... Neither distributor had an O-ring so I didn't know I needed one.

I'll let everyone know the results.

OK, so here is the conclusion to the story. I mic'd the shaft and it was dead on with the old distributor. I counted the teeth, and they both matched. So, I though I would try again... but it just wouldn't fit.I personally believe the gears were at the wrong angle or too thick to mesh. I took the distributor back to the parts house and told them it just would not fit. The asked if my engine was a 216 or 235? I stated it was a 228 (GMC). They said "oh! the distributor would not fit a GMC and that I should call Patrick's, because he can produce parts that fit 'odd' motors". Biting my tongue, I asked if I could get a refund. To their credit, they promptly refunded my money plus the core charge. I then drove to a different parts house and purchased another Chevy/GMC distributor that dropped in perfectly. Thankfully this saga is over.