Seized distributor help

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May 27, 2002 | 09:02 PM

trinogt

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 2,364

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From: Eustis FL

Seized distributor help

I tried to adjust my timing, but the dist, is stuck! I tried penetrating oil, tapping lightly with a hammer, warmed up motor, cooled motor off, etc etc... I am scared to break the dist housing or vac advance. I can't see any way to wrap an oil filter wrench around it with that advance mechanism there... Anyone encounter this with good results? It is a 460.
My 351C wouldn't come out, so it had to be air-chiseled out in bits. I am hoping not to have to do it again!
Mark

Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

May 27, 2002 | 11:37 PM

Superdave

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Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 2,297

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From: Indiana

Seized distributor help

You would have to pop the vacuum advance diaphram off to use an oil filter wrench on it. Patience is good here. Keep soaking it with penetrating oil. Ever try PB Blaster? Good stuff. May take a few days of soaking.

May 28, 2002 | 01:39 AM

the law

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Joined: May 2001

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From: Billings, MT

Seized distributor help

I got mine unstuck with a crowbar, but hey, I'm dumb. It wasn't budgin', oil wasn't workin', and I couldn't turn it with a wrench, so I wedged a crowbar between the block and the distributor and went to town. I've actually done this on both a '74 and an '89. I recommend this only as a last resort however.

The Law

May 28, 2002 | 09:34 AM

Paarrothead

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: On the farm near Loveland

Seized distributor help

After soaking it with penetrating oil, start the engine, get the block hot, then press a big chunk of dry ice on the metal bottom of the distributor frame as close as you can get to the block, but not on the block itself. Keep trying to twist the distributor loose every 30 seconds or so. Keep re-applying the dry ice as needed.

Handle the ice with some tongs or a thick pair of leather welder's gloves.

I've had good luck with this procedure before.

May 28, 2002 | 06:31 PM

trinogt

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 2,364

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From: Eustis FL

Seized distributor help

Jeepers, man! My freezer ain't cold enough for dry ice! Do I have to take the truck to the hospital for some? I would have top do the job there, since it is pretty warn outside, and it would all melt...
Sounds like a good idea, but I was hoping for something I could do with tools at hand...
Thanks
Mark

Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

May 28, 2002 | 09:56 PM

Paarrothead

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 467

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From: On the farm near Loveland

Seized distributor help

You can get dry ice a lot of places, look in the fone book. Cost ya $2 or $3.
A couple of chunks will keep for many hours in one of those inexpensive white foam coolers. I've kept fish I've caught on dry ice in a cooler for several days.

Throw a few pieces in a glass of water to play Dr Jekyll.
Mwuh-ha-ha-ha-ha!

May 28, 2002 | 11:48 PM

trinogt

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 2,364

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From: Eustis FL

Seized distributor help

Update!
I got back at it today. Soaked her in penetrate again, and nothing. I started the truck, and let it warm for a little, but not hot. By gum, the thing moved in one direction by hand! (forcefully) I got it to come back, then played a bit to get it to turn more freely... Boy, am I glad I got that going! I don't think the timing was out that much... I am pulling 15 inches of mercury vaccuum, and it is in the zone where the gauge says 'late ign timing'. I advanced, but couldn't get a better reading anyway... I think 15 is ok on an older motor, no? Compression is 135 psi on the lowest cylinder, 155 on the highest. (one head reads higher that the other) I am sure 87 percent is a good deviation??? Any comments?
Mark

Ford started it; Ford will finish it!