Well, I opened up my distributor to replace my pickup coil. I tried putting it back together, and I cannot seem to get it centered worth a crap. It seems to want Also, when I tighten these 2 screws:

...it gets really hard to turn.

I dont get it. Any suggestions?

What year Dist is this? And exactly what are you doing? for one thing if the stator is hitting the reluctor which it should NOT. Then the shaft will not turn. If this is a ZX dist. Just use a feeler gage and balance the distance, air gap, between the 6 points on the reluctor to stator . Since the circle of points cannot be moved individually this is all you can do. I have done several of these zx dist. I don't know why you are having a problem. Try and tightening the screws slightly so that there is friction keeping the parts so that they wont move easily. Make the adjustments then tighten things down. ?? That is the only thing I can think of here. with it info I have. all the best . Get back to us with this and let us know if we can help further. Gary

Sorry, 80 ZX distributor. Im just trying to put it back together. Even when the points on the shaft are between the points on the reluctor, it doesnt want to move very easily. I dont want to put it back in with the shaft not wanting to turn. Im afraid it will burn up within a few minutes or something.

If the Reluctor is not touching the Stator and the main shaft is not free , there is something else wrong. Can you feel any play in any direction in the shaft? Like side to side or up and down. Just wondering about the shaft bushings. Gary

Before I disassembled it, I could feel a little bit of play side to side. Didnt think it was too terribly bad. Not bad enough to make it not run. And yes, it also had up and down play as well.