All Small Six How to loosen the distributor

[shreqshack]

I have a rookie question for you all. How do you loosen the distributor to adjust the timing. I’ve seen a lot of videos on how to set the timing but I don’t know how to loosen the distributor so I can turn it. I have a 200 in-line six with stock distributor and carburetor

 

[shreqshack]

I have a rookie question for you all. How do you loosen the distributor to adjust the timing. I’ve seen a lot of videos on how to set the timing but I don’t know how to loosen the distributor so I can turn it. I have a 200 in-line six with stock distributor and carburetor

It’s a 1965 mustang....

 

[bubba22349]

There will be a distribtor hold down with 1 bolt were the distributor center shaft flange goes down into the engine block usually you only need to loosen that bolt a little bit until the distribtor will turn. To see the hold down and its locking bolt you need to look under the distribtor cap / wide part of the distribtor body to the center shaft. Picture of a 1965 Ford 200 Six engine assembled showing the stock distributor installed. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yUKrlTv540/T69874TcRxI/AAAAAAAAAOc/5-q_MNg-Tys/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG

In this 1965 Ford 200 distributor close up shot you can see the block flange that the distributor hold down pushes against to hold it from moving, below that is the part that fits into the blocks distributor hole. After the timing is adjusted and set you only need to snug down that locking bolt it's not nessisary for it to be torqued down a very much. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/OIAAAOSws2RcSlX8/s-l640.jpg
Best of luck

 

[shreqshack]

There will be a distribtor hold down with 1 bolt were the distributor center shaft flange goes down into the engine block usually you only need to loosen that bolt a little bit until the distribtor will turn. To see the hold down and its locking bolt you need to look under the distribtor cap / wide part of the distribtor body to the center shaft. Picture of a 1965 Ford 200 Six engine assembled showing the stock distributor installed. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yUKrlTv540/T69874TcRxI/AAAAAAAAAOc/5-q_MNg-Tys/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG

In this 1965 Ford 200 distributor close up shot you can see the block flange that the distributor hold down pushes against to hold it from moving, below that is the part that fits into the blocks distributor hole. After the timing is adjusted and set you only need to snug down that locking bolt it's not nessisary for it to be torqued down a very much. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/OIAAAOSws2RcSlX8/s-l640.jpg
Best of luck

So I turn the center bolt where the points open and close

 

[shreqshack]

So I turn the center bolt where the points open and close

Still not sure what to unloosen

 

[wsa111]

Its below the housing of the distributor where the flange is on the block.

 

[bubba22349]

X2 Yes think much lower on the mounting in the short block!

 

[bubba22349]

It might be helpful if you had an offset distributor wrench to get around the distributor body and vacuum advance canister, i got first one back in the mid 1960’s it looks like this and works on many cars. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/performance-tool-1-2-and-9-16-offset-distributor-clamp-wrench-w1189c/9020667-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=9020667-P&adtype=&product_channel=Online&store_code=&msclkid=6c21137be8c11bf5fc357393986f1418&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=b_pla_all_hand/specialty/tools_specialty/tools_gen_gen_all_pros_aap_us_all&utm_term=4580428010240526&utm_content=Bing_PLA_Hand & Specialty Tools_Specialty Tools_Miscellaneous Tools&gclid=6c21137be8c11bf5fc357393986f1418&gclsrc=3p.ds

 

[John Ha]

I have a rookie question for you all. How do you loosen the distributor to adjust the timing. I’ve seen a lot of videos on how to set the timing but I don’t know how to loosen the distributor so I can turn it. I have a 200 in-line six with stock distributor and carburetor

The bolt goes into the block and is hidden below the distributor and it's a bit difficult to get at. Here's a photo that may help