Distributor will not sit flat after head gasket replacement

1998 HONDA CIVIC
250,000 MILES • 1.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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TITOB
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Removed the distributor to replace the head gasket. The camshaft was never removed from the head; the head block was removed as a unit from the cylinder block. In trying to reinstall the distributor, and when I align the gears, there is a gap of about a 1/16 of an inch between it and the block. If the gears are not aligned, of course the gap is a lot bigger.
I didn’t think that the camshaft could move if it wasn’t touched, I don't want to undo all the work. Am I missing something stupid?
Sep 13, 2019 at 11:50 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Good morning,

Can you upload a picture of the distributor?

Roy
Sep 14, 2019 at 12:39 AM
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TITOB
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Solved. Update:
Yesterday I went for broke and undid half of my work. It turns out that the camshaft did move about a 1/16 of an inch toward the distributor, and when I pushed it back, the distributor fits well. It’s my first time doing a head gasket, and I didn’t thing possible that the camshaft could move since I didn’t touch any part of that assembly. My assumption was incorrect.
I put the engine back together, started up the car, it worked like a charm, although I did set the distributor on the mark that I scribed previously, when I drove the car for a test dive, I noticed that the timing was way off and I had to retime it.
Thanks.
Sep 14, 2019 at 11:03 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 52,796 POSTS
You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
Sep 14, 2019 at 11:51 PM
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