Put a remanufactured d16y7 with P2A-5 head in a civic with a d16y7 honda oem distributor Td-73U . Took the distributor cap off and rotated the rotor and it just won't go it.
It kinda seems like the opening isn't big enough because the rotor can spin and doesn't seem like it's catching the camshaft.

Is it possible the remanufacturer resurfaced too much off the head or the cylinder head assembly?
Can the camshaft or something else be installed wrong? I wouldn't think so, but the camshaft seems to be mounted more toward the top of the opening, and not centered like the distributor. I don't think it even catches at this point though.
Can the distributor be machined down to fit?

I'm really puzzled. Appreciate any ideas or comments. Thanks!

 

it can only fit one way, the grooves in the cam are the same size, but the distributor shaft has 2 diffierent sized protrusions (im hungover and cant think of the right word). spin the distributor 180 degrees and try again

 

Was really hoping this was it and kept trying, but it wouldn't catch. Eventually took the distributor gear off so as not to break it in case it was hitting, and it still wouldn't budge. There's a dark line along the bottom edge and the top. I assume that's where its hitting. I guess the cam cap is bent or warped or something. Hoping it's not the cylinder head.

 

thanks, was trying to rotate the rotor and was hoping that was it. eventually took off the distributor gear in case I was going to break something. Still wouldn't go in. There like black marks on the edge where it hits. I guess either the cam cap (rocker arm assembly) or the head is warped and has to come off. Hope it's the cam cap.

 

Where did this reman engine come from ? Did you measure to see if the distributor hole is perfectly round ?

 

big box store so they would need to ship it back.. was trying to avoid that, but might have too. thanks, I didn't know how to check if it's perfectly round, but will look into I'm thinking telescoping gauges to get better measurement.

 

Remove the o-ring for test fitting. The o-ring will put up a fair amount of resistance to installation. Lube helps. That o-ring gets compressed to create a leak free seal.