distributer stuck
 

need help on how to free up stuck distributer.the rotor does not turn, engine seems hard to turn, it feels like something is binding.Any suggestions.My car is a 30 rdster

Re: distributer stuck
 

Can you remove the distributor? Does the rotor turn when you crank the engine?

Re: distributer stuck
 

It might be a stripped timing gear. Put the timing pin in the hole and press it against the cam gear as you turn the engine over to see if you can feel the gear moving.

Re: distributer stuck
 

rotor does not turn. pulled off side cover next to timing gear , gear seems ok. but distributer can not move at all.Engine is also very hard to turn using crank.

Re: distributer stuck
 

The gear "SEEMS" OK, but you can't see the stripped teeth next to the crank gear.
Does the cam gear move if you crank the engine?

Re: distributer stuck
 

cam gear turns when you crank engine, do I have to remove front cover to see crank gear.

Re: distributer stuck
 

If your timing (cam) gear is turning when you use the crank to turn the engine, your crank gear is OK. But if that is what's happening and your distributor isn't turning, you have a stripped gear either on your camshaft or your oil pump drive.

Re: distributer stuck
 

Or the bearings ran dry and locked up the shaft, which then snapped off the tang on the shaft. That's what happened to a guy in our club when he didn't know about the oil cup on the distributor.

Re: distributer stuck
 

see if you can pull the distributor. Then check its condition. eliminate it from the chain of possible causes.

Re: distributer stuck
 

Tom, I've never seen that, but I'll file that with my list of possibilities. Thanks.

Re: distributer stuck
 

We had the bushing freeze on the distributor shaft and the tang break off several years ago could be your problem.

Re: distributer stuck
 

I had the pin break on the sleeve coupling that holds the distributor/oil pump gear in place in the carrier. The action of the cam drove the d/op gear "down" and effectively "disengaged" it from driving the distributor (the oil pump retainer spring gives it enough free play to allow this to happen.)

I could see everthing in the valve chamber turning JUST FINE when I rotated the engine. But the sleeve itselve obscured the connection. And then I noticed the sleeve was not turning (shouldn't I see that pin rotate by?)

Sounds like time for disassembly...

Joe K