I have a 69 400 and Im trying to get the distributor out. It is stuck solid. I have tried to heat the area, with a propane torch, to no avail. I have also been spraying the area with penetrating catalyst without any success. The shaft will not turn at all, but I can turn the crank/distributor gear. Are their any other options to get it out? Your help is appreciated. Patrick
If it was me I'd do what you did first. Then I'd try to get some leverage on it and try to break it loose by turning it first. If it has a flat like mine does you could use a wrench or an adjustable wrench. If not you could try a pipe wrench. How important is saving it and how much time do ya have? You could pull the whole cover and soak it for as long as it takes. I'd put some torque via leverage to it and if it broke I'd buy a new one.
Andy, thanks for the reply. I have tried a pipe wrench on it also, to the point of marking the shaft a bit. This is a very rare distributor and I want to remove it without any more damage. Will the front housing come off with the distributor intact? I thought the distributor needed to be removed before the timing cover (front housing) could be removed. Patrick
It can be done on a 350 I can only assume you can do it on a 400. I bet somebody on here knows for sure.
Maybe you could insert something sharp between the distributor and the housing and pop it loose like that. You may have to sharpen a screwdriver and tap it in with a hammer. F
This might sound crazy, but it has worked in the past for me. Because of the dissimilar metals(iron and aluminum), you get that white corrosion between the parts. I found this a lot while doing 350/455 oil pumps as the steel bolts would freeze into the timing cover, and attempts to remove them could crack the cover. I would take an arc welder, and attach the ground lead to the aluminum cover. I touched the rod to the bolt, and let it "hum" for a second. It would burn up some of the corrosion, but don't do it too long or you'll ruin the cover. You may want to attach the ground lead to the distributor to prevent any marks as you stated earlier in the thread that the unit was valuable and you didn't want to damage it. Touch the rod to the cover in a location that's out of sight. After doing this a couple times, use a big adjustable wrench on the flat of the distributor to rotate it back and forth. Once it breaks loose, you can start working it back and forth while applying upward force to the distributor by hand. Once it's up a little, spray some penetrating oil in there. Keep doing this until it's out, it shouldn't take long. If you don't have access to an arc welder, you may have to pull the timing cover and try some things on the bench. You'll have to pull the fuel pump, but you can get the cover off with the distributor installed. Keep us posted as to your progress.
Artie, I appreciate the information. I don't have a welder, but may be able to borrow one. Is the welder the best option for breaking it loose? You indicate the cover can be removed without pulling the distributor, but how do the gears separate without some manipulation. Would one need to turn the crank while removing the cover? In any case it won't be comfortable....it's a parts car and it sits outside...current conditions, 0F feels like -11F Thanks Artie
Are you sure it is the distrb housing stuck to the T cover? Did you try to rotate the crank a bit? I have found sometimes the gears just need a new position to slide right out, or wiggle the shaft with the cap off. o No:
Patrick, Been through this many times. What I have found to work best without the collateral damage was to use a flat thin chisel and work around ths dist. base until it raises just a little. Then I use the ever so popular PB Blaster and soak it for a few and repeat the process. Takes a little time but eventually you will get it out without damaging the dist. or the cover. I know Artie's method will work also. If all else fails, borrow the welder and give that a go. Good luck and take your time. Don't forget the safety glasses!!
Frank, Dan ,Bill I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Now, I just need to psyche myself up enough to go try your suggestions. It is down right cold here today. Patrick
