i have seen them for less than $200us. here is one company http://www.xenocron.com/catalog/distributors-c-37.html

 

When I turn the little fan looking thing to line up with the cap off how will I know when its lined up?

 

it will only go it one way, keep turning till it drops in. its pretty simple

 

It's sometimes possible to engage the distributor 180 degrees off of the correct timing. If it won't start after you put it all back together, try pulling the distributor out and turning the rotor half a turn.

 

no. its impossible. the only way that could be is if the distributor housing is off. but if you put it on the same way the other one came off then your only other problem coul dbe plug wires on wrong

 

You'd be surprised what's possible.

I've heard of people forcing it in backwards. Just look at it- notice that the blade is offset from center. Same for the slot in the end of the camshaft. Line them up. If it doesn't slide in easily, DON'T get that hammer from your toolbox.

 

Got her in with no problems, lined the new one up like the old one was in the 3 holes, think I need to take it to get timing adjusted?

 

i have tried to put it in backwards just to see and no matter what i did i couldnt make it go.

you should have the timing adjusted, but you arent going to hurt anything if you drive it. on a stock engine you can adjust it fmro one extreme to the other and it will be fine. it wont always run good, but it wont hurt anything

 

So I guess you just need to mark the rotor position since the distributor can only go in one way...or do you even need to mark it?