351c Stuck Distributor
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#4
351c Stuck Distributor
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!
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!
#5
351c Stuck Distributor
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
Ugly
#6
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