New here -- distributor question

[johnnyzoom]

Hello, been reading posts for about a month, have learned a TON from you all, but haven't found answer to this question, hope you can help me. I'm new to auto restroration and mechanics, but determined. Hopefully you can bare another rookie. Might be an obvious/stupid one but here goes:

I can't move my distributor to adjust timing! The hold down bolt is off, but distro won't budge. Don't know how much force I need to use to get it to move. Trying to check/set timing.

1964 Comet, 6cyl 200. Got this car about a month ago, lots of rust. Have replaced battery, ignition coil, spark plugs and wires, fuel pump and filter. Also replaced autolite 1100 carb for new of the same, lots of trouble with that but figured I'd try to check timing before tearing carb apart. Thanks in advance (no pun intended). --- Johnny

 

[mustang6]

It sounds like your distributor is corroded in place. Try soaking the base seam where it goes in the block with Liquid Wrench or a similar penetrant for a day or two. Normally you can turn it by hand, but you've got to get yours cracked loose before it will spin.

 

[Anonymous]

When you took off the bolt did the hold down piece come off? if not I would knock it loose with a hammer and socket extension. And if it still won't turn, get er good and warm if it runs and soak it with penetrateing fluid. (i like PB Blaster, brake fluid or even Coca Cola). Short firm raps on the dizzy (preferably w/ rubber or wood mallet) will cause less damage then just steady pressure when working it loose after soaking.

 

[johnnyzoom]

Thanks a lot for the advice you guys. Yeah the bolt came off but it's just stuck, following your instructions with the PB Blaster and will warm it up and give it a try Thursday. That was my concern, doing more damage to the engine than the dizzy. Seem to get good spark and it looks pretty clean but wonder if I should just replace it? Will post results. Thanks.

 

[johnnyzoom]

Hey, thanks for the advice, it finally gave! Everything on this car is stubborn, still getting use to how much physical force I can use on it without harming anything. Kind of beat up the vacuum advance, will replace. Actually I'd like to replace the whole distributor but have been told just the points and capacitor for now (being a beginner), but would appreciate any other input on removing it.

Now I get to enter the wonderful world of timing! Thanks again.

-- Johnny

 

[Anonymous]

first advice...get a pertronix for the distributor...very easy to put in and you wont have to adjust points agian...

welcome
chaz

 

[mugsy]

Removing a dizzy is easy... its putting it back the correct way is the "fun part"!

have fun learning!

Mugsy 8)