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

That threaded hole is expected to be ¼” NPT which is a tapered thread.  The ¼” NPT plugs are available in different lengths but the common length found at a hardware store may be too long.  The shortest ¼” NPT plug I keep in stock is about 0.325” long and is a Pioneer brand with part #PP-584-25 on the box.  I use that particular plug on the Ford FE blocks where the front of the driver’s side lifter oil galley behind the distributor is tapped for a screw in plug rather than using a push in expansion plug.

Be extremely cautious in trying to retap the existing hole in the block with the engine assembled and under no circumstances try to do anything with the lifter in the hole.  Metal shavings at this point are not your friend.  If modifying the plug, you will be shortening it on the wrench end and not the end that fits into the block first.  If modifying the end that goes into the block first, the plug will still be sitting outside of the hole at the same height.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks everyone. I'll be checking out the stores around town. They have to have a hole in them, will those be readily available or something special?

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri