Distributor Won't budge!

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Feb 21, 2010 | 04:49 PM

vibrancy

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Distributor Won't budge!

Trying to adjust timing, got a slight miss - but I can't get the blasted distributor to turn for nothing, all I can see is one screw holding it down where it drops into the shaft, is there any others holding, I can't see anything else, thanks!

edit:

woops forgot to mention - its a 92 F150 4x4 5.8l

Add: I put a crescent on it, right where the shaft goes into the cap it self, its slotted for one, tried turning either direction, still nada, bout gave myself a hernia, please any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Feb 21, 2010 | 05:09 PM

WhiteZombie

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there is only one hold down holding the shaft down. you have to losen the bolt on the hold down and it should turn.

Feb 21, 2010 | 05:11 PM

vibrancy

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yeah - I tried that - even backed it all the way off - and still won't budge - put some penetrating oil on it as well - nada!

Feb 21, 2010 | 05:18 PM

wickedklown83

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From: Washington County, Penna

thats one heck of a stubbor dis. like whitezombie said, its a single hold down. does it look like its rusted or crud caked all around it, try scraping around the base with a flathead (i know not what its made for, but it fits the best) and maybe it will loosen up enough

Feb 21, 2010 | 05:48 PM

vibrancy

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yeah I did that - and was finally able to get it to move maybe a 1/16th of a turn lol - going to let it soak over night and give it a try tomorrow - need it to move rather easily otherwise im going to lose an arm trying to turn it like it is now with the engine running haha - thanks for the help and clarification!

Feb 21, 2010 | 06:19 PM

BCHauler

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From: Vancouver BC Canada

I had the same problem with my last 5.8. Couldn't get the dizzy to turn at all. Even broke off one of the "fins" trying to turn it with a pair of vise grips. Finally, on the advice of a mechanic, I soaked it overnight with Deep Creep and then hit the base of it with a chisel and BFH. This finally freed it up enough that I was able to turn it.

Feb 21, 2010 | 08:15 PM

vibrancy

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hah yeah I broke that little fin as well - if you look under the actual cap, you'll see it is slotted for a big wrench to fit on - not sure on size, I just used a big crescent... anywho hopefully I can get it cleaned up some more tomorrow after it soaking over night and will be able to turn it easier!