Dropped a new Summit HEI in my H/O. Unless I'm crazy the Old one was straight up & down. Wasn't sure if I should put the old one in. It does run the way it is. thanks Jackson

 

Have you verified the cap is installed correctly, as in is it seated so the base of the cap flush all around?

 

The cap does not look like it's on right.

 

I wonder if the notch is not aligned properly, or if it’s not the right width and not letting the cap seat.

 

Distributor looks correct, the cap does not.

 

 

To my eye the vertical shaft looks tilted, compared to the horizon (lower) that Joe shows.

 

see this before notch in distributor not wide enough for cap to seat..

 

That is normal Here is a gm HEI in an Olds 350 that I am building.

 

Bill, are you showing a proper fit unit that is not square or perpendicular to the cam centerline?

 

Yes. The cam is in the engine and the base of the distributor sits flush and straight on the block. So the slant is normal. I was going to take a look at the 307 in my Wifes Riviera last night but just figured this would be a lot easier since that engine is on the stand and I had a couple of HEI's here at the shop.

I have never really paid attention to it but there are plenty of other engines where the distributor is not vertical in the block. It really does not matter if it is vertical in the block anyway. Chryslers are on almost a 45 degree angle

I just did a Google search of "350 Oldsmobile engine" and looked at a bunch of the pictures and there are quite a few where you can see the distributor leaning.

 

I just thought of another way to convince you guys Here is a picture of the oil pump shaft. The angle matches the distributor.

 

The distributor is not perfectly vertical in an Olds motor, but the OP's problem remains the fact that the cap is not seated properly on the distributor body. We're kinda getting off track here.

 

Is it possible the distributor cap indexing tab is not seated (correctly) onto the distributor housing? Maybe the distributor cap is faulty & contains two indexing tabs?

 

The cap is molded plastic. It's highly unlikely that the mold magically grew a second indexing tab. The cap just isn't installed properly. We've spent a couple of orders of magnitude longer pontificating here than it takes to just re-seat it properly.

 

I actually think it is. Its hard to tell for sure because of the bracket thats in the way of the picture. The bracket makes it look like its not on but I think it is. I just put the cap on the one I have here and it looks about the same.

It would be nice if the original poster would give us an update

 

Bill, I think you are correct. I went back and noticed this:

 

This really ain't Rocket science....or is it?
Is the key tab on the underside of the cap present and accounted for?
Is the key molded sharply?
Is it chineasium? If so scrap it and start over.

Push n Twist all 4 of the locks to get the L shape pointing outward.
Set the cap on the base and rotate it until the cap key tab engages and the cap seats on the base.
Push n twist the locks to point in towards the shaft. Done.

Look at each of the 4 screws. Are they equidistant down in the boss?
They should be at least 1/2 way down the hole when everything right.
They're spring loaded and should push back to squeeze the cap to the base.

If you are still having trouble get another cap and try it. And or to compare.

 

$1 Million Dollars!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't know what the million dollars is for, but you are replying to a 17 month old thread.