Car runs when key is turned off.

[Bob Gaines]

Had the one with the Pertronix in the car, and could not get it to fire, or run. Am putting the new one, with the points back in, but no luck getting it down over the oil pump shaft. I get it down to where the dist. gear  and cam gear engage, but no luck getting it to go any further. Any help appreciated. Ron

Use a oil pump priming shaft to turn the oil pump drive so that it is indexed the same as the end of the distributor. Sold at speed shops on line etc. you can also use a thin wall socket on a extension however that can be risky as they can separate and fall into the engine. I can't post picture but here is one on ebay . https://www.ebay.com/itm/OIL-PUMP-PRIMER-TOOL-1-4-Hex-FORD-Engine-289-302-390-428/372639484467

[NC TRACKRAT]

...or you can make one if you have an old distributor to use as a core.  Just remove the guts from the housing, then weld a 3/8 socket to the top of the shaft.  Great tool to use with a speed wrench to prime the oil pump, get oil to the rocker arms, etc.

[Rocket]

Since the shaft turns when the gears engage, how do you know how to index the shaft to match the oil pump shaft? Ron

[Bob Gaines]

Since the shaft turns when the gears engage, how do you know how to index the shaft to match the oil pump shaft? Ron

Trail and error.If it doesn't engage then move it a little more etc. etc.

[Rocket]

Just a note to let everyone know that I got the distributor in, finally, and 550 is back up and running. Thanks to everyone for the help, and thoughts. Ron