Distributor Stuck in Place

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Jul 22, 2022 | 12:10 AM

Melonmuziq

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 119

Likes: 3

Distributor Stuck in Place

I searched the threads but couldn't find my issue.
It seems that this would be common due to poor design on the 351M.
The distributor is not frozen but it is stuck in place so that the timing can not be adjusted at all. You may well know that the distributor sits down in a hole that can easily collect water causing it to rust in place.
I soaked it with WD40 and waited a few hours. Not much movement at all.
What is the best way to remove this distributor?
Thank you,

Last edited by Melonmuziq; Jul 22, 2022 at 12:24 AM. Reason: Can u delete this thread? I did find the answer.

Jul 22, 2022 | 06:03 AM

Mark8man

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 995

Likes: 317

Common problem for sure. Some of them can really be frozen. It took me a week of perserverance and patience. Applying heat with an oxy/acetylene torch to the block around the distributor. Repeated heat, soak, cool, cycles and it finally started to rotate slightly and once it does that you are on your way. Do not try to pry it straight up. Do not break the aluminum housing. Get it to rotate first. I believe the rapid heating ability of the oxy/acetylene helped. The process of heating and cooling (expansion and contraction) allows the penetrant to work better. Everyone has their favorite penetrant like pizza. I have been hearing GREAT things about Free-All from people who are mechanics for a living but I have not tried it yet. I have also had good success with a 50/50 mix of acetone and transmission fluid. Some penetrants seem to work better in certain situations so don't be afraid to experiement with others.

On a side note - I have found it easier to search google than using the search function here. I end up finding threads on FTE using google that I can't find by using the forum search function.

Jul 22, 2022 | 06:23 AM

f5fordgirl

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 1,275

Likes: 134

You said not much movement at all, if you have movement, you're on the winning side, snake oil and moving back and forth, it will come out.

Jul 22, 2022 | 05:07 PM

i-w

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 1,572

Likes: 37

From: Northern Virginia.

I used a cv joint puller
Looks like a slide hammer with a fork on the end.

Amazon

Jul 22, 2022 | 08:06 PM

DJLF150

1st Gear

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 1

Likes: 1

I had the same issue with my 78 F150 351M, for over a year i kept trying different penetrating oils, banging on it, and heating it, nothing worked. Then I tried CRC Freeze-Off Super Penetrant that I bought from Amazon, I heavily sprayed the base of the distributer, let it sit there for about 5 minutes, and it came loose. Good Luck!