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Old 04-17-2018, 04:26 PM   #1
Sea-weed
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Default Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

Hi- I have started getting Molly out of hibernation and ready to sell. First problem is a seized distributy. The rotor, she no move. I used my puller to get the distributy out (it's seized up solid) and now I am trying to remove the lower shaft. (see attached) I have been soaking, and used my vice-grips around the shaft thru the spring and wacking upwards with a hammer but not getting anywhere. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions? I do want to check the drive pump gear when I finally get the shaft out.
Thanks, Rich
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Old 04-17-2018, 04:43 PM   #2
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

Put your vice grips and hammer away.

Let it soak in MMO or another penetrating oil. It should free up with some time.

Can you turn the motor over with crank?
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Old 04-17-2018, 04:48 PM   #3
Sea-weed
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

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Originally Posted by WHN View Post
Put your vice grips and hammer away.

Let it soak in MMO or another penetrating oil. It should free up with some time.

Can you turn the motor over with crank?
Hi-

Yes motor turns over with crank and valves open & close. Been using PBS on it. Will keep at it.
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Old 04-17-2018, 04:57 PM   #4
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

If motor is turning, why is rotor in distributor not also turning?

Did the car run when it was put away?

I’m missing something here.

When you turn over motor is distributor shaft also turning?

Are you saying you have distributor out of car and the shaft is frozen?
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Old 04-17-2018, 04:57 PM   #5
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

Does the shaft turn in the valve chamber? If so, the little flange on the distributor shaft must had rusted or broken off. I had that happen years ago. No big deal, just get it out and replace it. Lube it all up nice before you put it back together!
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Old 04-17-2018, 04:59 PM   #6
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

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You can buy all the parts and they are relatively inexpensive.
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Old 04-17-2018, 05:09 PM   #7
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

No, the shaft does not turn in the chamber.

And to WHN, yes I have pulled the distributor out. The shaft in the distributor and the shaft in the chamber are both frozen. I haven't messed with the distributor yet. Yes, the car ran when it was parked but it has sat for a long time now. My mistake.
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Old 04-17-2018, 05:44 PM   #8
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

My concern now is the non turning part of the shaft that is in the engine.

Motor is turning over than lower distributor shaft should be turning. Hopefully when you pulled the distributor out, the lower shaft moved up enough to disengage from drive.

Let it soak, when you can get it to move, see if it drops down and re-engages. If not, we have to check further.

Under the right conditions, Model A’s can sit for many years. Yours looks like there could have been some moisture around.
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Old 04-18-2018, 08:57 AM   #9
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

It sounds like either the oil pump tang where the distributor sits down inside has rusted and broken off or the drive gear on the camshaft is broken and not engaging.
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Old 04-18-2018, 09:32 AM   #10
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

Moisture/corrosion is common, where dist goes into head. I fill the hole with Vaseline, before poking in the dist.
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Old 04-18-2018, 04:18 PM   #11
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

Hi- Quick question. I noticed on the oil pump drive gear, there looks like a drift pin. You can see it in the picture located on the right side, third spring wind up from the bottom. Does the distributor drive shaft just fit over that? Or is it pinned thru the shaft? I tried tapping it not too aggressively with a drift punch but nothing happened.
Thanks.
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Old 04-18-2018, 04:51 PM   #12
Bob C
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

This is the drive gear.

Bob
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Old 04-18-2018, 05:03 PM   #13
Sea-weed
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

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This is the drive gear.

Bob
Sorry, I mispoke, the pin is in the drive gear housing.
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Old 04-18-2018, 05:15 PM   #14
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

Hi-

Hopefully this comes thru. I put an arrow on the spot I'm wondering about.
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Old 04-18-2018, 05:19 PM   #15
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

I just changed that gear...no go with harbor freight quality punch...one tap from Snap-on. I ordered a whole set on Ebay. You need good punches to rebuild an A...or lots of patience?
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Old 04-18-2018, 05:29 PM   #16
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

The distributor shaft just drops into it.

Do you have a one or two piece shaft on distributor?

If lower shaft is not moving when motor is turned over, I would say you have another problem.

Cam drive gear?

Valves are moving, so cam is moving.
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Old 04-18-2018, 05:31 PM   #17
Sea-weed
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

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The distributor shaft just drops over it.

Do you have a one or two piece shaft on distributor?
Thanks, that's what I thought. It is a one piece.
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Old 04-18-2018, 05:35 PM   #18
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

That "pin" just goes through the collar and the shaft with gear, it doesn't hold the distributor shaft in
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Old 04-18-2018, 05:48 PM   #19
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Default Re: Out of Hibernation Part 1, Distributor

Does the collar turn when the engine is turned over? If not there is also a problem from there down. That pin should not shear as the collar only aligns the two shafts and has no torque on it.

John
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