Distributor Removal

S

specializedaggie06

New member
First time poster here on the ford barn. I have done a search and haven't found anything on this. I was trying to remove the head tonight and got to the point of removing the distributor. I loosened the locking nut and then removed the screw holding the distributor in the block. I don't see anything else that could be holding the distributor in. Any ideas why this won't come out? I have pryed pretty hard on it and I sprayed some PB Blaster on it to let it soak for the night.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Andrew
 
they can get stuck pretty hard in there, especially if the head gasket was leaking. Try soaking it in penetrant a while longer while tapping it occasionally to assist the penetration and carefully prying... you do not want to crack the casting. If that fails, a puller will be needed. The vendors sell a few types. The one from Bill Stipe works well.

http://www.specialtymotorcams.com/pages/products.html
 
Seeing as you are removing the head anyway, when you get it off just turn it upside down and fit a 1/2in. socket to it and just lightly hammer it out. Worked for me.
 
RAY64's idea is certainly the safest. I have seen a number of instances where people have tried to pry them out, only to have them crack off at the base and then they are junk. It does not take much prying to break it. Cast iron is not very flexible. The puller will work well if it is not stuck too hard, but even the puller will fail when the force is equal to the shear stress of the threads. Don't ask me how I know this! Don/WI
 
I agree with Don, and am surprized to hear that he stripped threads out of the shaft by using the puller.

Also some times the shaft gets stuck in the oil pump/distributor drive, and you can tell this happens when as you lift up you feel a spring pulling it back down. Just remove the side cover and spray some Kroil in the connection and work them loose.
 
Do any of you guys know if these tips apply to the "B" engine as well, seeing as there are similarities?
 
You may have luck with the puller if the distributor in not that tight in the head, but if it's really stuck the puller may not work. My experience with the puller is that it is only as good as the little pin that holds the distributor shaft sleeve on.
 
I removed the head last night with the distributor still in. I will be tapping it out either tonight or tomorrow night if I get the time.

Thanks for the help guys,
Andrew
 
This is why mine wouldn't come out. I ended up using the puller and gently prying the bottom. I was told it's from the engine running too cold.
 

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