Posted by Alan Bowes on December 31, 1998 at 16:17:48:
In Reply to: 230 cid distributor - help posted by Alan Merrick on December 31, 1998 at 14:31:28:
If this is a civilian PW rather than an M37, and if it still has an original-type distributor, the distributor shaft drive tang (and the associated slot in the oil pump drive gear) should be centered rather than offset, and as you mentioned, you can install it in either of two positions.
The only thing that really matters is that the number one cylinder's spark plug cable is installed in the distributor cap tower to which the rotor is pointing when the number one cylinder is near TDC on its COMPRESSION stroke, and that the cables are arranged in the correct firing order (clockwise). I suppose that if you are doing a "perfect" restoration, then you will want to match the original positioning for appearance's sake, but it will work equally well in either rotor position, as long as you make sure that the spark plug cables are arranged to match.
Happy New Year
Alan