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Hey all - CONFIDENT that I'm overthinking this. Obviously an A/L distributor on my 2302's 327. Recently had my distributor and vacuum advance rebuilt. Went to get it all reinstalled with a new cork gasket from MM. Upon just snugging everything up, I found the distributor housing to be SUPER tight and resistant to spinning. The locking screw wasn't engaged at all.

Will it loosen up when the engine is running, or should I just go with the a modern o-ring (what Olsen's had sent me previously for a distributor gasket)? I had the o-ring in before getting the advance back, but I'm also relatively certain it doesn't really do anything. My concern is that it's so tight that a. I won't be able to set timing and b. the vacuum advance won't be able to do what it's supposed to do and will get damaged.

I haven't tried to run the car yet... the driveshaft is still out; waiting on the new u-joints. Thanks, all!

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  Rebuilt Distributor-Vacuum Advance.jpg (447.04 KB)

Who rebuilt your distributor? My distributor guy passed away and I need a new vendor.


Thanks,
Earl

Earl - very sorry to hear this! I used Advanced Distributors in Minnesota:advanceddistributors.com/ VERY fair pricing, turned around in one week, came back looking brand new, and very responsive after getting the unit back as well. Great experience.

I had just redone all mine too, distributor, advance , along with all other engine components.
I agree that the original gasket was a cork ring. In my gasket kit from Kanter they supplied an O-Ring, a neoprene material. I was skeptical it would work, but it spins smooth to set timing and has no leaks, at least after the 1st 100 miles. Weather closed in to stop the driving for this year.
Bob J.