Hi. I am rebuilding a 5.2 magnum out of a 96 ram. I put the motor in the truck and started to reconnect all the accessories and found that the disributor sits up off the block (about half an inch). With the distributor like this there is no way to tighten it down. I took off a lot of the parts I already put on and tried to push the drive shaft down further but it doesnt move. This is my first rebuild and I honestly dont remember how its suppost to go. If the driveshaft gear supposed to be under or ontop of the gear from the camshaft? also is it supposed to turn when I crank over the motor? and what am I supposed to do to make the distributor fit properly? I have read some posts (some on dodge some on other makes) and they say there should be retainer clips on the top and it is not supposed to be removed from the top side (found that on a mustang forum so Im sure it could be different). Also read that with the magnums I may need to drop down the oil pump? Thanks alot for the help!!

 

Pump drive gear should be right next to cam gear. It's a hex shaft on the end, and needs to drop into the oil pump. What you could try is, have someone turn the motor BY HAND, while you apply light pressure to the drive gear, see if it will line up, and fall into place.

 

alright, thank you! I will try that in the AM. does the oil pump driveshaft have to be oriented any special way for timing or just the distributor?

 

Yes, the oil pump driveshaft slot orientation is noted in the service manual.

 

okay so I checked and the il pump drive shaft is supposed to face the front bolt on the drivers side head. problem is in my attempt to remove the DS I was turning the cam and managed to drive it deeper into the block (the proper depth, but the wrong orientation so now i need to remove it and orient it correctly. How the hell do i get it out? I think if I was to wrap a wire around the underside of it and around my wrench it could work but is there another easier way?

 

could you use a magnet pickup tool? It's how I did GM ones, but don't know how tight the fit is

 

never mind I answered my own question. I got it out and oriented correctly using a piece of wire wrapped under it and to one of my tools. then I just cranked the motor over (by hand) in reverse until it lifted its self up.