Hello,

It isn't hard to push the bushing out. I use a short 12mm 1/4 drive socket and extension to knock it out from the inside, so you are going to have to remove the oil pan and oil pump and that is not easy. I now pull the engine instead of removing the oil pan in the car. It is a lot easier to work on the engine with it on a stand and I think less overall work than dropping the crossmember.

Besides, I think you have another problem, most likely, the oil pump as it is VERY unusual for the that bushing to seize onto the distributor/oil pump drive shaft.

New bushings are still available, but you might be able to use the 1 from your spare engine.

However, you should check for excessive play as the bushing does wear like a valve guide.

To check the bushing play, use a your drive gear, minus the old bushing of course and install in the donor bushing and see if you can fell any side play by trying to move the end of the shaft of the drive gear side to side inside the engine while installed.

To properly set the bushing height, 1st install the replacement bushing making sure to align the hole in the bushing so it will face the oil hole in the block, then install the drive gear with the distributor base and very importantly, the distributor base gasket as its thickness will make a difference. Bolt it down carefully because if the bushing is set too high, you can break the distributor base if you tighten the bolts. I always check to see if the distributor base appears to be seated all the way into the block before installing the bolts. You then check for up and down play by pulling and pushing on the shaft inside the block. It can take several attempts to get it just right, sometimes pushing the bushing into the block to get some more play, or pushing it out to remove end play. You can do this with the camshaft installed.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

Matt;

I believe I understand your general description of the problem, but I'm having trouble with some of your terminology...a Bushings are what both Distributor driveshaft (20) and Oilpump driveshaft (5) ride in...



If Distributor driveshaft which is driven by Cam is not being engaged by Distributor, first assure that Distributor is sitting correctly (and fully DOWN) in its collar/clamp! Distributor driveshaft does drop when it engages Oilpump driveshaft slot, but dimensions and location of everything in its normal locations still allows Distributor drive to engages it...so there is either something wrong at the Oilpump (too low) resulting in its Shaft being located to low allowing Dist Driveshaft to drop further than it normally should, OR at the Distributor (too high) and not dropping down enough to engage Distributor drive. You need to determine which is the case!

I'd remove Oilpump drive shaft and inspect lower end key which engages driveslot in Oilpump shaft. Also inspect slot which key should engage in on top of Oilpump driveshaft (a light, and the right angle of light and viewing will be necessary!)... if nothing looks wrong or broken, I'd measure the depth at which Oilpump drive shaft is sitting (with respect to Distributor mounting base surface of block), and compare that to a known good engine (someone would need to provide the known good reference measurement).

Let's see what you find in this inspection...unfortunately, I can't think of any further inspection which can be performed from outside the engine...and if its not the Distributor which is sitting too high, any corrective action at the Oilpump will only be possible after engine removal and removal of the oilpan to get acces to Oilpump.

FYI...IPD sells (or used to) sell an "Oilpump Drive Reinforcing Rings" because the one (or both) sides of the Oilpump drive shaft were prone to breaking off...then the Distributor driveshaft wouldn't engage the shaft to drive Oilpump...but even if that were to happen, that problem is rotational...it wouldn't result in symptoms of a receding Distributor driveshaft...

Good Hunting!