I took a shot at doing the cap and rotor, got it apart, back together and when I went to start it, it didn't start.
It tried to, but made a little pop/snap noise and died.
I took the cap off again, and found the rotor torn up. I have put the old rotor back on, but haven't gotten the cap tight.
The cap is not damaged which is what is weird.

I think I may have turned the dist. shaft a little bit on removal.

Please help me.

 

are you sure you didnt push the rotor far enough onto the shaft it goes on?

 

I was having trouble with that at the start, I couldn't get the cap back on. Then I was able to push it down farther. After that I managed to put it back on.

 

have you tried to start it again with old rotor? spray the shaft with a little penatrating oil also so the rotor slides all the way down.

 

Yeah, just did.
It just did the same goddamned thing it did before.

 

Well, I'm done for the night.
The old rotor has been torn in half and I have no ride to get me to AZ before the close, soooo...
I shall hopefully make it there in the morning. Funny thing is, the cap is STILL fine.
WTF?

 

The cap is a bit sturdier than the rotor. I think you aren't getting the rotor all the way down on the shaft. Also, you don't have to worry about turning the shaft, unless you physically removed the distributor, you can't.

 

Clean the shaft that the rotor slides down onto. Use a brillo pad or something similar. Even if you did turn the shaft a little it wouldn't cause it to hit the cap. Are you sure you're putting it on in the right place? Once it seats all the way down you should be good to go.

 

Yes, I did put it on the right place.
How far down is it supposed to go? I'm pretty sure that I had it down all the way.
Either way, it doesn't matter tonight since I don't have any parts available.

I do appreciate the replies though. Thank you.

 

Just push it down until it doesn't go any farther. Sorry but I don't know how else to explain it lol. Maybe try giving it a very light love tap with a rubber mallet and see if it moves down any more. Once it's clean and if you use a little WD40 or something it should slide right down all the way. If it's not lined up 100% sometimes it won't go down all the way. They can be a real PITA.