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Hi! I'm sorting out a 1971 Mach 1 H code. I ordered a pertronix, flame thrower coil, and a wire set. When beginning the installation, I noticed the distributor hold down clamp was missing. I was surprised to see this and thought there was no way the timing would be right. When I tried to move the distributor it was frozen, would not turn. I tapped on it both ways, tried penetrating oil, still no luck. Any ideas out there????
Thanks!
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That is actually a pretty common problem. Normally after letting it soak in penetrating oil it will come loose. If it has sat for an extended time in oil and is still froze, try running the motor to heat it up allowing the oil to penetrate better. Sometimes it takes a little bit of lightly tapping on the most solid part of the distributor to break it loose. Too much force will break it so be careful.
Maybe someone else has come up with a better solution.
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Mine was stuck also, I just kept the base soaked in penetrating oil. Then I had my Son put a crow bar under 1 side while I tapped up on the other side with a hammer.....easy on the pressure and tapping...just a good steady pressure and light taps. Mine is a dual point, so I was extra careful not to break it. keep it soaked while tapping.
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Maybe I should add that you can do the tapping over an extended period of time as well. Each vibration will cause the oil to penetrate deeper. Take it slowly unless you are not concerned about the distributor.
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Tapping both up and down will help break it loose.
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You could try some WD 40 .
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This reminds me of a time when I was some what stupid
My first engine some what so called rebuild , was something out of a horror story . I won't bore you with all the details but when I went to install the distributor , I couldn't get it to seat all the way down ? I knew I was pretty much set in place but lacked maybe a 1/4 of being fully set down. My solution was to drive it all the way down with a hammer , yes I did and believe it or not it fired right up and I set the timming and drove it several thousansd miles afterwards. All i can attribute my good fortune is to the God of this universe who saw fit to allow me this one stupid mistake and allow it to actualy wotk.
By the way He ( God has given me a whole lot more grace over the yrs .
It was a Ford 351 and it ran wonderfull even though the local mechanic said other wise. You see I also left out a small but so called criticule part between the engine crank and the auto tranny , a spacer that he said with out the car wouldn't go anywhere ? I left that spacer in the glove box just in case I needed it some day .
I drove that car from Minn to Colo at almost 80 mph all the way and it didn't miss a beat ! Go figure ?
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We all use His grace more than we recognize throughout our life!
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