Rough idle and stumble/hesitation when hot

Some distributors have a square on the stem you can put a wrench on. I don't think a 69 has that, if it's the original distributor. You can remove the cap and put an oil filter wrench on the part where the cap sits, that might work. Whatever you do...take a Sharpie or an awl and mark the distributor on the timing cover and base, in case you accidentally move it 1/4 turn or something! At least you will know where it was........

 

I did that too I dinged the distributor and the timing cover so I would know exactly where it went.
When you get ready to pull it out mark on the distributor with a sharpie where the rotor is pointing since the gears are going to turn the rotor when you pull it out, and then you take a mental note or mark again where the rotor is pointing after you pull it out. Providing you kind of pulled it straight out.

Your oil pump will line up with the hook on the oil pump gears and the bottom of the distributor when you go to put it back in.

If you move it back 1 tooth or foreword for what ever you have to do there to get clearance for the vac canister you have to try to line up the oil pump with the bottom of the distributor below the gear. Just remember that the distributor rotor is going to turn as it goes that last 1/4 inch down to mate with the timing cover. The oil pump has to be in the right spot to mate up with the bottom of the distributor when going back in.

So the dist. turns and drops into the oil pump slot. done.

 

Are you sure you put the timing light sensor on the #1 cylinder? Having it that far off may point to a setup issue instead of your car being THAT far advanced. I would think it wouldn't run at all with what seems like 60-90* of advance.

 

#1 cylinder is the front driver's side one, right? That's the one I put it on. Also I left it with penetrating oil soaking on the base of the distributor overnight and tried again, still no luck. This isn't your regular everyday stuck, this is ADVANCED stuck.

Noticed something else: compared to firing order diagrams, it looks like all my plug wires are one spot early. I had already mentioned moving them back one, but it looks like I actually need to do that for it to be right. I did it briefly but then the car didn't want to run (though it did crank much easier) so i put them back for now until i can get the dizzy to turn. So I guess it's not more than 45 degrees advanced, because doing that made it act retarded.

 

Have you tried completely pulling out the bolt and clamp to make sure there's no way they are hampering distributor movement?

 

I've had them flopping around loose. Didnt quite take the bolt all the way out cause getting it back in would be a whole new flavor of pain, but i got it very close to that.

 

I called the shop. they said they dont have a good way to get it loose either. Now what?

 

I might look for a different shop, and probably another distributor, just in case you end up breaking the housing getting it out.

At this point, you're looking at maybe a touch of heat (be careful of anything that could catch fire, including fumes), lubricant, and force.

 

Similar to the oil wrench idea, remove the cap and grab the body (top housing) of the distributor like a steering wheel. Twist back and forth quickly in short motions. (Use gloves for grip) Use plenty of penetrating oil at the base. Im aware it is not currently moving, but the motion may jar it loose. Your distributor housing or timing cover may have a burr on it keeping the housing from rotating. Avoid using a screw driver as you might mark it up worse. Also do NOT forcefully pull upward or sideload the distributor by hitting it.

 

Here's a link with some more ideas (some drastic).

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/distributor-stuck.728891/

 

I took it to the shop on monday, they've been trying most of that stuff since then and had no luck. It would probably be easier if the shaft were longer. The flat part of the housing is barely an inch above the engine. Really hard to get in there with anything at all. even the straw on a can of pb blaster has to be bent around stuff to hit the right spot.

 

It took a whole week but they eventually got it. Runs SO much better now.

 

So what did they find? I have a similar problem. Thanks