I've tried soaking it with P.B. blaster, and also carburetor cleaner.
I've twisted, I've pried, I've even talked to it!
Any Ideas? I don't mind replacing it if I can get it out. Would I run in to any problems if it were to break?

 

I had to use a hammer and dull chisel on my 351M dist. I had tab that cast into the housing by the cap that beat on in both directions. after about 30 minutes it can loose.

 

After trying soaking with penetrant and beating on it with a hammer I finally got it to move with an oil filter strap wrench. Had to remove the cap, rotor, and plastic extension piece first to get the strap wrench on.

 

Been there, done that - finally freed up the distributor in my 351M today as a matter of fact. I'd spent the last week soaking it with P.B. Blaster, hammering on it with a brass punch, using a 3 foot pry bar, etc., etc. - none of it caused it too budge an inch. Cast Iron + Aluminum + Heat + Age = Galling - why the heck Ford didn't use anti-sieze on these things is beyond me!

Today I went over to my buddies, stripped the distributor down as far as I could (removed cap, rotor, etc.), moved all the wiring out of the way and took an oxy-acetylene torch to it. I used a brazing tip and very carefully kept it moving around the distributor so as to apply heat evenly. After 5 or 6 minutes I took the biggest set of vice-grips I had, clamped them on as tightly as I could and pulled - it moved!!!! I sprayed the heck out of it again with P.B. blaster and continually worked it back and forth for a few more minutes. It was still very stiff (and hot!) at first, but it gradually got better and better. I can now turn it very easily by hand and was finally able to set my ignition timing correctly.

A note of Caution - be very careful with the torch and have a fire extinguisher handy! I managed to ignite some of the old grunge on the engine and even slightly melted part of the distributor - thankfully only cosmetic as it still works fine. Good luck to you, but in all honesty I think this is the only way your will ever come free.

Bruce in South Carolina
1977 F-100 Ranger XLT
1984 Volvo 245 Turbo - it's a Ford now!

 

Got it! I soaked it with P. B. Blaster. Then used a pipe wrench and a helper bar to turn it. Then two crowbars prying up one on each side. It pulled in half but came completly out. A new one sits in it's place, this time with anti-seize! Timing is set and tires burn...

Ugly

 

I've been soaking mine in sauce for 9 years now and it still wont move. My timings not out enough for me to get up the energy to use a torch yet, but maybe someday.

John