Distributor bolt frustration
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New User
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Aurora OH
Distributor bolt frustration
Hi Guys, Newbie back inside after an hour out in the 96 degree heat trying to get the distributor bolt back in my '84 F150 I6. Right about now I could spit!
I had posted earlier regarding the rusted bolt heads on the ignition module trying to find an easier way out than pulling the distributor. There did't seem to be an alternate solution, and everyone seemed to feel that my reluctance to pull the distributor were totally unfounded. Guess again.
I FINALLY got the thing back in the block fiddle-e-diddling around with it because it didn't want to seat fully. I don't know what I finally did, but it was solidly hitting something inside the block that was preventing it from going down the last 1/4". Getting past that issue, NOW I can't seem to get the distributor bolt in any way except for it to want to cross-thread. Came out like a breeze! Threads on bolt look perfect. Can't figure this out except that I now feel that I should have followed my instinct and farmed the job out in the first place...
I had posted earlier regarding the rusted bolt heads on the ignition module trying to find an easier way out than pulling the distributor. There did't seem to be an alternate solution, and everyone seemed to feel that my reluctance to pull the distributor were totally unfounded. Guess again.
I FINALLY got the thing back in the block fiddle-e-diddling around with it because it didn't want to seat fully. I don't know what I finally did, but it was solidly hitting something inside the block that was preventing it from going down the last 1/4". Getting past that issue, NOW I can't seem to get the distributor bolt in any way except for it to want to cross-thread. Came out like a breeze! Threads on bolt look perfect. Can't figure this out except that I now feel that I should have followed my instinct and farmed the job out in the first place...
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From: Virginia
What did you do to get the dist to seat? Maybe it's not in correctly and that's why the bolt doesn't line up. Take the bolt and the clamp off and eyeball the dist and see if it's sitting squarely in the block or if it's a little crooked.
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From: Aurora OH
As I said, IDKWTF I did, but just all of a sudden (after about 20 minutes of lifting and inserting) it finally dropped in. I'm certain it is now seated squarely. I have tried threading the bolt in both with and without the clamping piece, but the bolt simply WILL NOT thread in squarely. Everything up to that point looks great!
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As I said, IDKWTF I did, but just all of a sudden (after about 20 minutes of lifting and inserting) it finally dropped in. I'm certain it is now seated squarely. I have tried threading the bolt in both with and without the clamping piece, but the bolt simply WILL NOT thread in squarely. Everything up to that point looks great!
I'm just glad someone else is having distributor installation trouble in the scorching sun
.
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From: Aurora OH
After about the 8th time thinking maybe it was just me, but it locked up solid before being anywhere close to tight...
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From: Aurora OH
In case you have to pull it again, I just re-inserted my distributor and the reason for it not going down the last 1/4 is there is a hex head oil pump fitting at the bottom and it can fall to the side. If you get something long like a screwdriver you can recenter it and it will the go in.
I'm just glad someone else is having distributor installation trouble in the scorching sun.
I'm just glad someone else is having distributor installation trouble in the scorching sun
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Thats they way I felt, but ended up having to pull it more times than a seasoned mechanic (and I can do it pretty quick now). Heres the link to my troubles maybe you can find something helpful. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-at-tdc.html
Also watch the gasket when your trying to put in the bolt. I tried for hours and hours in the 95 degree sun and 100% humidity here in Alabama to get my thermostat housing bolt in a couple of days ago (can find that thread somewhere on the front three pages of this forum) and the gasket was barely in the way keeping the bolt from going in (that and there was rtv in the threads).
Also watch the gasket when your trying to put in the bolt. I tried for hours and hours in the 95 degree sun and 100% humidity here in Alabama to get my thermostat housing bolt in a couple of days ago (can find that thread somewhere on the front three pages of this forum) and the gasket was barely in the way keeping the bolt from going in (that and there was rtv in the threads).
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
The hard part is over, you now know what to look at and what needs to line up for that thing to go in correctly. Seriously. Everybody who does this kind of work needs to learn this.
You might clean up the threads in the hole, examine them closely with a magnifying glass and see if anything looks damaged.
You might clean up the threads in the hole, examine them closely with a magnifying glass and see if anything looks damaged.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
In case you have to pull it again, I just re-inserted my distributor and the reason for it not going down the last 1/4 is there is a hex head oil pump fitting at the bottom and it can fall to the side. If you get something long like a screwdriver you can recenter it and it will the go in.
I'm just glad someone else is having distributor installation trouble in the scorching sun.
I'm just glad someone else is having distributor installation trouble in the scorching sun
.Thats they way I felt, but ended up having to pull it more times than a seasoned mechanic (and I can do it pretty quick now). Heres the link to my troubles maybe you can find something helpful. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-at-tdc.html
Also watch the gasket when your trying to put in the bolt. I tried for hours and hours in the 95 degree sun and 100% humidity here in Alabama to get my thermostat housing bolt in a couple of days ago (can find that thread somewhere on the front three pages of this forum) and the gasket was barely in the way keeping the bolt from going in (that and there was rev in the threads).
Also watch the gasket when your trying to put in the bolt. I tried for hours and hours in the 95 degree sun and 100% humidity here in Alabama to get my thermostat housing bolt in a couple of days ago (can find that thread somewhere on the front three pages of this forum) and the gasket was barely in the way keeping the bolt from going in (that and there was rev in the threads).
This is exactly how places like this thrive; somebody comes in asking questions, and helps others (who are also asking) with something they know or have learned.
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From: Aurora OH
Well here it is so far... I seem to be able to catch a good thread (or partial) in the very beginning, then the bolt "kicks" to the crossthread. I was just beginning to hold the bolt in the "unkicked" position in place riding it in a loose plier while turning with a wrench to see if I may be able to catch a little more when my 96 degree day and scorching sun became a pouring thunderstorm...
Ahhh, life in Ohio.
Ahhh, life in Ohio.
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Joined: Dec 2015
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. I was just beginning to hold the bolt in the "unkicked" position in place riding it in a loose plier while turning with a wrench to see if I may be able to catch a little more when my 96 degree day and scorching sun became a pouring thunderstorm...
Ahhh, life in Ohio.
Ahhh, life in Ohio.