help! stuck distributor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

c10scotty · 02-28-2003, 08:11 PM

k i was tryin to set the timing on my truck and a loosened the bolt just fine but i just cant get the distributor to turn. whats the deal?

Tracy Focht · 02-28-2003, 10:03 PM

Are you sure it's loose, and the vacuum advance canister isn't hitting anything?

c10scotty · 03-01-2003, 07:33 PM

yes its loose, i could turn the bolt by hand, and the canister is free. anyone??

CT-Truckster · 03-01-2003, 11:36 PM

the same happened to me on a 79 f#@d i use to own. that thang was stuck bad, wouldn't turn for nuthin. i at first thought maybe it was hung up in the block or something but since it ran good i figured maybe not. I guess all the gunk that had settled around where it seated on the block had turned to some kind of undiscovered super duper metal adhesive. the distributor was up front so i took off some the acc. brackets and stuff and was barely able to get a small pipe wrench with a piece of pipe on the end of it(i figured it's a f@#d what the hell) and after busting a few guts it finally popped loose. i pulled it out of the block and didn't see anythng that might have been making it stick like that so i set the timing and everything was fine.

c10scotty · 03-01-2003, 11:47 PM

well thats not very encouraging...thanks though

Slonaker · 03-02-2003, 12:02 AM

I have heard of people using the friction type oil filter wrench to break them loose. I would be afraid of breaking something, though.

Slonaker

solidaxel · 03-03-2003, 12:18 AM

iF IT BRAKES GETTING IT OUT......it needed to be replaced anayway

82 Silverado 4X · 03-04-2003, 01:19 AM

Seen it happen in Fords because they are actually sunk into the intake but never in a Chevy. Someone might have used sealer on both sides of the gasket. Try leaving the bolt loose and taking it for a short "low RPM" drive. The heat and vibration might be enough to break it loose.

c10scotty · 03-04-2003, 09:41 PM

thanks 82 silv, i might try that. my auto teacher is kinda wierd though so he might not let me in class...if not ill do it later

and good point solidaxel...may be time for an msd billet distributor, and an msd 6a hei kit

solidaxel · 03-06-2003, 01:01 AM

Sounds like a justifible excuse too me!!

02-28-2003, 08:11 PM	#1
c10scotty ~THE SILVER BULLET~ Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: WYOMING Posts: 285	help! stuck distributor k i was tryin to set the timing on my truck and a loosened the bolt just fine but i just cant get the distributor to turn. whats the deal? __________________ ~1980 c10 chevy scottsdale~ ~2.5/4 drop 305/th350c~

03-01-2003, 07:33 PM	#3
c10scotty ~THE SILVER BULLET~ Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: WYOMING Posts: 285	yes its loose, i could turn the bolt by hand, and the canister is free. anyone?? __________________ ~1980 c10 chevy scottsdale~ ~2.5/4 drop 305/th350c~

03-01-2003, 11:47 PM	#5
c10scotty ~THE SILVER BULLET~ Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: WYOMING Posts: 285	well thats not very encouraging...thanks though __________________ ~1980 c10 chevy scottsdale~ ~2.5/4 drop 305/th350c~

03-02-2003, 12:02 AM	#6
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	I have heard of people using the friction type oil filter wrench to break them loose. I would be afraid of breaking something, though. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

03-03-2003, 12:18 AM	#7
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	iF IT BRAKES GETTING IT OUT......it needed to be replaced anayway __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

02-28-2003, 10:03 PM	#2
Tracy Focht Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Stillwater, OK 74075 Posts: 2,936	Are you sure it's loose, and the vacuum advance canister isn't hitting anything?

03-01-2003, 11:36 PM	#4
CT-Truckster ? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Dyersburg, TN Posts: 471	the same happened to me on a 79 f#@d i use to own. that thang was stuck bad, wouldn't turn for nuthin. i at first thought maybe it was hung up in the block or something but since it ran good i figured maybe not. I guess all the gunk that had settled around where it seated on the block had turned to some kind of undiscovered super duper metal adhesive. the distributor was up front so i took off some the acc. brackets and stuff and was barely able to get a small pipe wrench with a piece of pipe on the end of it(i figured it's a f@#d what the hell) and after busting a few guts it finally popped loose. i pulled it out of the block and didn't see anythng that might have been making it stick like that so i set the timing and everything was fine.

03-04-2003, 01:19 AM	#8
82 Silverado 4X Genuine Chevrolet Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South West Pennsylvania. Posts: 582	Seen it happen in Fords because they are actually sunk into the intake but never in a Chevy. Someone might have used sealer on both sides of the gasket. Try leaving the bolt loose and taking it for a short "low RPM" drive. The heat and vibration might be enough to break it loose. __________________ George 82 Silverado LWB 4x4 350 SM465 NP208 77 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 400 TH350 NP203

03-04-2003, 09:41 PM	#9
c10scotty ~THE SILVER BULLET~ Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: WYOMING Posts: 285	thanks 82 silv, i might try that. my auto teacher is kinda wierd though so he might not let me in class...if not ill do it later and good point solidaxel...may be time for an msd billet distributor, and an msd 6a hei kit __________________ ~1980 c10 chevy scottsdale~ ~2.5/4 drop 305/th350c~

03-06-2003, 01:01 AM	#10
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Sounds like a justifible excuse too me!! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

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