distributor woes

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Apr 13, 2007 | 04:30 PM

oldtrapper

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Joined: Jan 2003

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From: Wellston USA

distributor woes

I am in the process of converting my dad's 73 hd strouck over to Duraspark ignition with the work going to be done by my two grown sons. Well sir they ran into a snag trying to pull the distributor so the new electronic distsributor and have run into a stoewall. After soaking the dist with a couple cans of penetrating flluid no budge at all. I am afraid they have almost trashed the old dist. I am consideering making a setup using a couple straps of angle iron made to fit under the the top piece and using a engine puller {cherry picker} to get a stralight up pull up on the shaft . The dist has probably been out of the truck twice since 73. I been resoaking the sihaft and tapping on body of it.
Any ideas or am I the only one who has ever had this problem. Thanks
for any alnd all ideas.

Old Trapper

Apr 13, 2007 | 09:59 PM

airharley

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Joined: Nov 2001

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From: Escondido, CA

I had to use a 4 foot crow bar to pry mine out. It happens when the disimilar metals touch one another. Sometimes the rubber o-ring also bonds to the block and makes it a bear. Have you tried to twist and lift the body out? Worse case you will crack the housing of the old one with a hammer. I did that as well using a 5 lbs deadblow hammer one time. Just make sure to clean out as much corrosion as possible when you do get it out. Then liberally apply a petroleum grease to the body before you install it.

Apr 14, 2007 | 03:42 PM

acheda

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Joined: Feb 2004

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From: San Luis Obispo, CA

You are not reusing the distributor, as I understand, but you do not want to break it off flush with nothing to grab, so proceed carefully with your plan. You need to get a secure and even grip on the distributor. I would recommend getting about 2 feet of 1/4" chain at a hardware store. Also buy 2 grade 8 bolts that will fit through the chain in between two links (not at the end). Also get 2 nuts and 4 washers. Make a loop with the open ends hanging down by the distributor. (Hang it off the cherry picker hook.) Pass the ends past the distributor (one on each side) so that the two bolts and the ends of the chains form a tight circle around the narrow part of the distributor body right under the main section of the distributor. This should allow you to evenly apply your upward force with the cherry picker. While it is loaded, tap it back & forth in the rotational direction. Good luck and let us know how you do.

Apr 15, 2007 | 01:19 AM

oldtrapper

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Joined: Jan 2003

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From: Wellston USA

distributor woes

Thanks for the advice. I like the chain idea better than the plan I was going to try. I was going to try using a couple pieces of angle iron eith two hles drilled in them at the apropriate spot and using a couple pieces above the distributor and hooking up to a cherry picker and proceding with caution.
I will start gathering up a length of chain and get grade 8 bolts and give it a try. I'll let you know the outcome.

Old Trapper

Apr 15, 2007 | 02:07 AM

oldtrapper

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 76

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From: Wellston USA

There are two threads for my problem. Sorry if I caused it. I think I will try the chain method as soon as I can gather up the materials. I put electronic ignition on both my 66s and it is a worthwhile upgrade. On the oldest motor it was a patient of soaking and using a crow bar like you said. There was a lot of cleaning and lubing the shaft. But it is neat to stand outside the truck with some fellows around at the local garage and watch the faces when I reach in and turn the ignition on and the old truck doesn't even make one revolution and the headers start barking and kinda rattles the area.
Thanks

Old Trapper

Last edited by oldtrapper; Apr 15, 2007 at 02:17 AM.