[johnbuckley]

Some distributors can be very stubborn to remove. Put lots of penetrating oil around the distributor the night before to help release it. Avoid the temptation to prise upwards with anything other than very gentle leverage; force can break the distributor casting where it enters the head. Once the 3mm deep index pin (which stops the distributor rotating) is clear of the head you may be able to rotate it and wiggle it free. Don’t tap on the lugs with a hammer in an attempt to rotate it as this may break the lugs; try an oil filter removal tool instead. A special distributor puller is available for Model As- this provides a steady vertical pull and can be left pulling it overnight- but even that doesn’t always work. Try long term soaking with releasing solution. If all else fails remove the cylinder head complete with distributor and if your domestic controller permits such antics, leave it in the freezer overnight; the thermal changes may free it. Finally, having taken the cylinder head off and having tried every method of gentle persuasion, in extremis use a hollow tube such as steel water pipe, slide it over the shaft and whack it out with a hammer.