Howdy Guys,
My timing is slightly off, but I can't move my distributor. What is the best way to free it up?

Thanks for help in advance,
Tim

 

Patience, PB Blaster and more patience. Take the lock down bolt and tab off, spray the heck out of the distributor neck where is enters the intake manifold and let it set.

You can CAREFULLY with a rubber mallet, tap around on the bottom part of the distributor, if you do not have the a/c compressor bracket in your way, go in from that side.

You can also use a flat tip screwdriver and angle tap on the 2 screws that hole the ID tab on the vacuum advance neck part. CAREFULLY

You can use a kitchen sink basin wrench to grab the neck and get some twisting action going. Tap tap tap twist twist twist, change direction each time.

3/8 in. x 1-1/4 in. Telescopic Basin Wrench-70225 - The Home Depot

Shop Superior Tool 11-in Basin Wrench at Lowes.com

 

After removing the hold down & doing some soaking I used a pair of coupling nuts and hex head bolts which would just fit between the bottom of the distributor and surface of the engine below it. Put them exactly opposite each other and apply the force in a balanced way so as not to break the distributor's stem. This will "press" the distributor out. After it comes out be sure to carefully clean &/or sand the contacting surfaces and apply some anti-seize or grease to make it easier to move in the future. Don't allow anything to fall into the engine.

 

If all else fails you can take a cold chisel and smack it at the base where the hold down clip actually holds it. Just go easy and do it in both directions. It will break loose

 

This would be a fine excuse to order some prime beef tenderloin and cowboy cut ribeye from Omaha Steaks. Why, you ask? Because they send out those styro coolers packed with dry ice. Apply the dry ice around the lower body of the distributor.

Sent from a pay phone

 

I have a 460 that I soaked repeatedly for like 2 months just sitting in my garage. I tried several different ways of hitting it and spraying it. I don't know if it is a coincidence or not but the last thing I tried was Kroil. Within hours I tried it again and came right out.

 

I use Kroil, and have for years. Not the least expensive penetrating oil but I haven't found anything better for dealing with stuck, frozen, rusty parts.

 

Since we're talking about penetrating oil, apparently you can make a DIY version that is effective. May be worth adding to the arsenal.