Dizzy Stuck
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I had the same problem and it took lots of soaking and two large prybars to get it out. I even tried my shop crane and it acted like it would lift the whole front of the truck, so I quit because the way I was hooked to the dizzy was such that I was afraid I would break it. But the pry bars went under the dizzy such that it spread the load and finally worked.
If I had to do it over again I might try heat from a MAPP gas torch on the block to make it expand. But it is hard to get in there to do that, so I'm not sure it would be possible.
If I had to do it over again I might try heat from a MAPP gas torch on the block to make it expand. But it is hard to get in there to do that, so I'm not sure it would be possible.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 105
From: Houston
We've ran into this at work before, what we did before is use a block of wood and a hammer and give it firm hits to the base of the dist to jar it some. I noticed its mainly a problem on vehicles that the dist hasn't been touched in a long time which has me concerned it might be a problem on my '56 that sat for 30 years. But Ive seen the block of wood and hammer technique work good. Just don't hammer on it like youre trying to separate a ball joint taper. Just firm hits to jar the dist to help dislodge it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 116
From: Saskatchewan Canada
I took the cap upper and lower plastic off and used a strap type oil filter wrench with a breaker bar on the aluminum body of the distributor. Once I got it turning, I was able to slowly work it free. Lots of lube sprayed at the base as well as some firm taps like already described.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1,174
Brute force and ignorance. Worked for me! Oh, that, and the right tool:
Snap-On CJ99 Distributor Puller
That's a Snap-On CJ 99 distributor puller, for use with a slide hammer. I think they are out of production, but probably turn up occasionally on eBay.
The Snap-On slide hammer used a larger diameter shaft than the 5/8" OTC slide hammer I have. I made a threaded bushing adapter, but you could just as easily use a nut on either side.
Even with lifting force applied directly under the distributor head, expect a good fight. On my 351W, I still had to percuss the base with a stout brass drift and hammer. I also had to use a big plumbing strap wrench to apply some twisting motion. Don't forget some penetrating oil such as Kroil, etc.
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