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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Distributor Wiring

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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 09:50 AM
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Distributor Wiring

I have a 1980 Ford F100 with a 302. I am trying to replace the wiring in the distrubitor and can't seem to figure out how to get it off the distributor. Can any one help me?

I have loosend the screw the one screw that holds the wiring in place, but I am struglling to figure how to remove the "gear" that holds the rotor. The gear moves up slightly but then stops.

Is there any steps or pictures tht I can follow to replace this wiring assembly? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks
 
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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 01:37 PM
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Here's a picture.
http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/g...3d800a5746.gif

Take two large screwdrivers on either side of the wheel and pry up. Be careful and do not lose the roll pin, which acts like a key on the shaft.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 01:52 PM
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What you are trying to replace is called the Distributor Pick up.

Sometimes it's cheaper to go and get a whole remanufactured distributor, and costs about the same as the distributor pickup does by itself.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 03:43 PM
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Will the roll pin just slide out with the armature? Then do i just tap it back in?
 
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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 04:31 PM
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Yes. but a small punch to help remove the roll pin works too.

If the gear is rusty, replace it as well.


Also check to see if there isn't a lot of play in the distributor shaft, where the wheel attaches etc... Turn it back and forth gently, If there is a lot before any sort of resistance, then the centrifugal advance springs in the distributor are most likely worn, or broke and need replacing. all very important for proper timing curve.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 06:29 PM
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Okay, I seem to be having some problems. I took a small punch and pushed the roller pin down the shaft, the pin didnt come out, but as far as i can see the it is out of the armature. But i still can't get the armature off. I tried prying on it but id doesn't budge. Am I doing something wrong? If I loosen the two main screws that are secure the plate sitting under the wire assembly it still doesnt allow it come off, I assume this is because the springs under that plate are holding it in.

I am getting really frustrated with this. Any advice please?
 
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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 07:39 PM
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If the roll pin is out of the star wheel, then it should just pull off relatively easy.

It could be frozen on the shaft with age.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 08:28 PM
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I have had them stuck before. It took two LARGE screwdrivers on each side, and a good amount of force to get it to come off.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 08:25 AM
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There is a puller made to remove the distributor gear. If you brake your housing trying to pull it off you wont be able to use it as a core towards a reman distributor...Be careful!!
 
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 01:48 PM
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The distibutor gear is at the other end of the distributor, inside the engine.

Unless I'm misunderstanding you.

The magnetic Pickup wheel, is what he's trying to remove. It should not take excessive force to remove. Infact when I changed my magnetic pickup years back, it just slipped on and off the shaft easily and, no tools required to pull it on mine once the pin was removed.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 06:02 PM
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I was thinking GM, On them you have to remove the shaft to get the pickup out
 
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 04:02 PM
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Yes, let me be clear. I can't get the magnetic gear out in order to remove the wiring assembly. From the link above they call it the armature gear. It is the gear that the rotor sits on top of. I pushed the roller pin down the shaft but id didnt loosen the magnetic gear up.

How does this crazy thing come off?
 
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 04:12 PM
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it should just pry off, must just be stuck. its a little late now, but why are you replacing it? The connector fell apart on mine so I cut the old connector out and soldered directly to the harness. I have done this on the connectors at the module on the fenderwell on other fords
 
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 04:18 PM
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Yeah it is stuck all right, I am now afraid I am going to break something.


My connector also broke, badly too. i am trying to restore the truck back to orginal conditions so I was hoping to do it the correct way.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 05:40 PM
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I understand that, mines a work truck (or would be if it would $now) so reliability trumps staying OE
 
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