So, I put the new hold down on today and still no luck. I guess when they converted to points they changed the distributor. There's absolutely no ring on the shaft at all and even with the hold down in place and tight I can pull the distributor out. So something is obviously wrong. It's an 82 d150 that originally had the electronic spark control mounted to the air cleaner. Which distributor do I need to buy and where's the best place to get it? I have the pertronix ignition and coil now. Should I buy their distributor as well? Thanks.

Follow the distributor link (to Old Car Parts Northwest) in the HEI upgrade article

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Can you post a photo of your distributor?
It sounds like there is a bolt on retaining ring missing from your distributor. After market and NOS distributors do not always include that bolt on ring, so just buying another distributor may not fix your issue, and you may not need to spend 90+ dollars at parts northwest to resolve that issue.
Note, some slant six distributors have a bolt on ring that requires and additional clamp other slant six distributors have an oblong metal retainer that bolts to the distributor and is also the hold down clamp

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Doo Ron Ron and the Duke of Earl are friends of mine.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX8Nj8ABEI8

Post a pic of what you have. Someone on here will surely have the correct parts that you need.

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It's still in the motor. I looked online and I think I see where something might bolt on the bottom side and towards the firewall. The distributor I looked at online looks like mine so maybe it wasn't swapped. Everything the previous owner touched is a complete mess. Does the bolt on ring just bolt into the bottom of the distributor? Mine definitely has the hump and hole at the back of it. Is that how the hold down ring attaches?

Yes, the ring or oblong retainer bolts to the bottom of the distributor

_________________
Doo Ron Ron and the Duke of Earl are friends of mine.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX8Nj8ABEI8

Yes, the ring or oblong retainer bolts to the bottom of the distributor

_________________
Doo Ron Ron and the Duke of Earl are friends of mine.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX8Nj8ABEI8

[quote]It sounds like there is a bolt on retaining ring missing from your distributor. [quote]

I have a dozen or more of these, if you need one, I can send for cost of shipping...

If it is a post 79 engine, it likely needs this hold down plate.

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-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN

There's definitely a place to bolt something to the bottom of the distributor on the fire wall side. I think you guys have nailed it! All I need is the hold down ring! Thanks so much guys! This whole project is a learning experience. I've done ford 300 in line but never the slant 6 before and it seems that whatever the previous owner touched is done very poorly.

Thanks DusterIdiot, I'll take you up on that. I'll send you my address and you can tell me how much.