New Distributor Seal Question

[jrrhdmust]

I did a quick search and didn't see anything, but I am sure I could have missed something.

I pulled my distributor to put a new seal on it. When I started putting it back in I had quite a bit of trouble getting it back in the sleeve. I ended up lightly tapping it to get it in the engine. Now I think it still needs a coupld of mm to get it fully seated, but can't for the life of me get it pushed in.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!!
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71 SuperBeetle (5 year old restoration under refresh)
74 Porsche 914 (Under Restoration)
02 Porsche 996

[HRVW]

You need to tap lightly with a plastic/rubber mallet on the rim of the dist while rotating the rotor back and forth slowly for the tab dropping into the dist drive gear...happens all the time with a New "O" ring.

Removing the dist will also be a bear at some point.

[glutamodo]

Did you lubricate the seal any? Silicone spray lubricant usually helps with rubber gaskets like that.

I will say that not all of those rubber seals for the distributor are created the same. The ones in the engine gasket sets can be, as you've found, very tight to install. Real Bosch ones aren't as thick and are easier to deal with.

[jrrhdmust]

I lubricated it with oil, thinking that is what it will be lubricated with anyway.

I didn't think about silicone spray.....

And I am sure it came from a cheapo aftermarket kit.....
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71 SuperBeetle (5 year old restoration under refresh)
74 Porsche 914 (Under Restoration)
02 Porsche 996

[Glenn]

White Lithium grease works great.

Bosch o-ring.

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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[Tim Donahoe]

Now that I think about it--although it was years ago when I put a band new "O"-ring in--once I got the seal inside the hole (past the opening, that is), the distributor just went down easy, the rest of the way.

Tim

[jrrhdmust]

I had to tap mine, I ended up having the distributor 180 out, since i noticed the shaft is not symetrical where it meets the gear part.

Now my engine wont start though. I think I might have fouled the plugs, and no I am not 100% sure on electrical power to and through the distributor. I hope I haven't fouled my Pertronix.
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71 SuperBeetle (5 year old restoration under refresh)
74 Porsche 914 (Under Restoration)
02 Porsche 996

[jrrhdmust]

Survey says: Pertronix died
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71 SuperBeetle (5 year old restoration under refresh)
74 Porsche 914 (Under Restoration)
02 Porsche 996

[Randy in Maine]

[jrrhdmust]

Yes here are the instructions I used....

Unplug the red Ignitor module wire. Connect the red Ignitor module lead to the battery positive terminal using a jumper wire if required. Attach the black lead of the multimeter to the Ignitor module black wire. Attach the red lead of the multimeter to the battery positive terminal.
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71 SuperBeetle (5 year old restoration under refresh)
74 Porsche 914 (Under Restoration)
02 Porsche 996

[MacLeod Willy]

I would pull the dist again to be certain you didn't tear off a piece of the seal driving it in, jamming it in between the block and housing. Once it starts it should slide down easily