Been trying to get my distributor put in and it's been a struggle. I thought I finally got it in but now see a set screw looking thing up against the distributor gear. It's facing the lifter on the eighth cylinder I think. What is it and why is it interfering with the distributor gear? Can I just screw it in further or is it supposed to be there? I tried gently turning the engine around a bit but it is not moving.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

Ah that dreaded plug.  I ran into the same issue with my 368.  I always thought it was a Y-Block issue but it must be unique to the LYB'S.  That plug goes into the oil galley.  When I had the motor for my Convertible rebuilt the mechanic replaced it with a pipe plug.  I snapped two drive gears before I discovered the issue.  That plug uses an Allen wrench to tighten it up.  On the back of the block there will be a small soft plug that lines up with it.  Pull the plug, screw it in a little further, and replace the plug.  In my case I already had the motor and transmission in the car.  I had to remove both and unbolt the tranny to get to  it.  I went to Ace hardware and they had what I needed.  I even ground down the head to give myself more clearance.  When I called my mechanic he knew exactly what plug I was talking about.  He was wondering why it had such an odd plug.  Fortunately I have a local parts shop who had the gears in stock..

"For want of a nail..."

B-rad, aren't you glad you know now? 

It's good to know it's an Allen wrench head. I didn't really want to remove that plug cuz I didn't want to damage it and not sure how to reseal it. It has some gray goop sealing it.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

So I tried tightening the plug to get the clearance needed to drop the distributor in but it was tight. My mechanic said to grind down the back of it and screw it in. I did that but it still is sticking out too far hitting the dist gear. Is this supposed to be flush with the block because it won't go in far enough. It's just a quarter inch deep now and screws in just like two full turns. It has a star pattern hole thru it so it seems to be the right one for the engine bit it's in the way. If anyone knows what's up with this, correct part number, size, distance sticking out, etc please let me know. Thanks

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri