Dissamble distributor

A

allford

Member
Well I'm getting ready to rebuild the distributor on my 39 merc. engine. It's one of the units that is refered to as divers helmet style. My Question is how do these units come apart? I want to be careful and not damage anything. Thanks in advance.

Alan
 
Grab tongue in vice. Then tap *lightly* around the backside rim of the aluminum housing. I used a wooden mallet. This works most (but not all) of the time.

Jack E/NJ
 
Think before you attemt this..is it really required..Like what are you going to repair or replace..........simetimes the advice offered is best intended but ask your self WHY.
 
First step, remove the the screw on the side which you adjust the timing. Then gently push the points plate out the bottom.
 
allford said:
Well I'm getting ready to rebuild the distributor on my 39 merc. engine. It's one of the units that is refered to as divers helmet style. My Question is how do these units come apart? I want to be careful and not damage anything. Thanks in advance.

Alan
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They can be puzzeling if youve never done one before and seeing you dont even know how to take it apart,i would send it out. OMO after doing hundreds of them. Good luck. ken ct.:)
 
"Think before you attemt this..is it really required..Like what are you going to repair or replace..........simetimes the advice offered is best intended but ask your self WHY."

Ahhh, the classic philosophical question, "Why?"

The answer, "Because!"

(You're half way to your degree in Philosophy and a seat at the end of the bar in any respectable beer joint.)

This is a hobby. A sub-group of the hobby is tearing things apart to see how they work.

If you just want to rebuild your distributor for the sheer excitement ... do it.

If not, listen to "ken ct's" advice. When it comes to distributors, he's got his poop in a group.

Also, before hammering on anything, the vacuum brake should be removed as well as the screw for the advance index. Some come apart very easily. Others are tougher.

If you are interested in learning, you got to start somewhere ... although Ken has done hundreds, there was a "first one" for him, too.

Enjoy.

Hoopknife-1.jpg
 
He can call me for help on the phone if he wants. 1-203-260-5945 cell,before 9 any days pm i mean. ken ct.
 
first remove from engine, next remove the vacuum brake (large nut of front side of dist. remove the spring/plunger that is inside, next remove the timing screw and plate from oposite side of the distributor, the points and rotor assembly will them slide out the back-in over 35 years of doing these I have yet had to drive one apart and that includes some that are "barn" fresh
 
Unless you have a reason to take it apart I say leave it be......I just recently worked on this type of distributor on my 38' Ford.

It is possible to change/adjust the points without taking the whole distributor apart.....the rotor is another story but I left mine alone.

After removing mine from the engine I cleaned and lubricated it very well....works excellent now.

I've decided as long as the darn thing is working proper I'm not gonna touch it again. haha
 
How do you replace and set points, check and replace bushings, rotor on one of these distributor if you don;t take it apart? This engine has been setting since 1955. I took the engine apart and replaced every thing but I be darn if I can get this unit apart.

I got everything soaking tonight,I will post what happens tomorrow morning. Thanks guys for all the advice and help.
I will get it, I just looking for help from people that know and have experience on these distributors.

Alan
:)
 
I have a few under the work bench that ive never been able to get apart,even with the tounge in the vice bit and hammering on the houseing to back it out. It helps to get the vacume plunger out,some just wont come out. ken ct.
 
Ken,

Have you set up your fall schedule? Will you be visiting the southern meets ... Moultrie, Zephyrhills, Webster, etc.?
 
Well I got the distributor apart this afternoon I soaked the entire thing in a gal. bucket of diesel fuel for 3 days. I then held the tounge in vice and it fell apart when hit with hammer. Thanks everyone for the help

Alan
 
Hoop said:
Ken,

Have you set up your fall schedule? Will you be visiting the southern meets ... Moultrie, Zephyrhills, Webster, etc.?
Click to expand...
No Hoop,i stopped going down last yr.Not worth the trip anymore.Doing Hershey and thats it till May meet in Fitchberg ,Ma.in 2011 May. ken ct.
 
allford said:
Well I got the distributor apart this afternoon I soaked the entire thing in a gal. bucket of diesel fuel for 3 days. I then held the tounge in vice and it fell apart when hit with hammer. Thanks everyone for the help

Alan
Click to expand...
Good work Alan,thats the first step. Call if you get stuck. ken ct.:)
 
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