I either need a picture that shows the relation between the rotor and the key on the very bottom, - or I believe you need to take a "long enough" standard screw driver and turn the slot on the oil pump counter clockwise ever so slightly.

 

oh you would be referring to my air fuel mixture tool for the carb mercury lol ok.

 

if it helps, the top of distributor has what almost looks like a second tab for the rotor.. I'm not going to pop it out or anything but that tab would be about perfect. except its in the wrong direction.. you can see the same idea in post 92 on the old one. 1st pic

 

The rotor only goes on one way. This is not uncommon that the oil pump turns slightly as the distributor is being pulled up. The bottom is probably just hitting the very edge at the top of the groove. You just don't want to turn it too far. Then this can get complicated.

 

Hold up a second. I need to get clockwise and counter clockwise straight in my head

 

Yes, counter clockwise, but less than half the width of the slot.

 

well.. lets make it more interesting..

the old one gets caught up when turning between 9 and 12... o clocks.. also, the thing that holds the bolt on is just gone

 

there Is the plate that goes ...over? with the bolt

 

Someone has done a little alteration to the old distributor. It's actually O.K., it's a common alt. We are fortunate that we have the position of the rotor and the position of the distributor body recorded in photographs. It is still likely that the bolt will line up with the hole and be between the tabs. I'm not sure what you are saying about the old one getting caught up. Were you able to turn the oil pump slot slightly counter clockwise? And if so, have you attempted to reinstall the new distributor?

 

Yes, once the distributor rests in place with the rotor pointing at the landmark, a two toed claw goes on first that strattles the distributor. The bolt goes through that claw to hold the distributor. Just like it came apart, right?

 

I am about to check it with the pencil but I think I need a baby fine hair clockwise now.. once its in, the outside turns freely to line that bolt tab ..

and what I mean about the old one.. if I go slow enough turning it clockwise, it stops completely and takes effort to continue turning.. its not free spinning like the new one.(uninstalled)

 

The teeth on the gears are wider than hair. It will be either on or off by quite a bit. I wouldn't mind a picture from the same spot looking over the dipstick tube.

 

That's interesting about the old distributor binding. It was at best, on its way out.

 

hold on.. I'm still in process aiming for perfection... be right back