The Ford Barn

oldspert · 07-12-2023, 07:36 AM

Installed the oil pan and was going to pull the distributer to pour oil down the hole. But it will not come out. There is something stopping it from coming out of
the bore in the head. MCGarrett came over to help and still no go. It moves about 1/16 of an inch and hits a solid mechanical stop, will not move any more. No amount of prying will make it come out. We have decided the pin holding the lower shaft has partially slipped and will not let any movement past a certain point. Any ideas will help to get this thing out. If nothing else, I am going to pull the head with the distributer left in.

Marshall V. Daut · 07-12-2023, 08:50 AM

Do NOT strongarm pry underneath the casting body! It will break in two, leaving a stub of the base stuck in the head. Then you'll have to pull the head to drive out that broken piece. Order a dedicated distributor puller from one of the vendors. It's inexpensive enough to be part of any serious Model A owner's tool selection. Besides, you can loan to friends also in need.
I have never encountered a stuck distributor that this tool couldn't pull up and out. It's one of the best Model A tools out there. While waiting for it to arrive, spray Kroil or some other super penetrate on the exposed portion of the distributor's stub to assist in loosening the distributor inside the head. Not absolutely necessary if you use the removal tool, but it couldn't hurt.
Marshall

Benson · 07-12-2023, 09:10 AM

If the original Ford screw with a slot and with locking nut is being used you MUST completely remove this screw from the head.

Not only must you loosen the screw ...

you must remove it from the head

If not removed then there is an area on the end of locking screw which is "turned down".

This part of the screw will hang up in the groove in dist housing and not let dist be removed even though it appears that the screw is loose.

Once you get distributor out you can plainly see the reason for the problem.

wrndln · 07-12-2023, 09:11 AM

I assume you removed the set screw in the side of the head securing the distributor housing - right!

Marshall V. Daut · 07-12-2023, 09:11 AM

Good point, Benson. That set bolt is an easy thing to overlook when removing the distributor.
Marshall

Benson · 07-12-2023, 10:31 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

See red and blue text in post #3.

wrndln · 07-12-2023, 01:16 PM

Benson,
Look at the time stamp on both our post - 1 minute apart. I was posting when you were and so was Marshall- OK.
Rusty Nelson

Y-Blockhead · 07-12-2023, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrndln

Benson,
Look at the time stamp on both our post - 1 minute apart. I was posting when you were and so was Marshall- OK.
Rusty Nelson

Great minds think alike...

Y-Blockhead · 07-12-2023, 02:50 PM

[QUOTE=Marshall V. Daut;2239878]Order a dedicated distributor puller from one of the vendors. It's inexpensive enough to be part of any serious Model A owner's tool selection. Besides, you can loan to friends also in need.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...6320&cat=41753

I made one similar to this one years ago and still use it. I'm not as nice as you tho, Marshall. I don't lend tools.

Benson · 07-12-2023, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrndln

Benson,
Look at the time stamp on both our post - 1 minute apart. I was posting when you were and so was Marshall- OK.
Rusty Nelson

RUSTY,

Sorry for confusion.

None of my post was meant to be targeted to anyone here.

I should have made my point more clear in original post.

My reason for adding red and blue was not aimed at any other posts.

Years ago I made a similar post but not as complete. I mentioned removing the screw but did not give any details the guy did not understand about the groove in distributor and only loosened screw and did not remove the screw completely.

Next he then proceeded to pry and broke the distributor housing.

Benson · 07-12-2023, 03:59 PM

My point in above posts is that if the original Ford screw is not completely removed that distributor can be broken if using a pry bar or the proper removal tool.

JayJay · 07-12-2023, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benson

My point in above posts is that if the original Ford screw is not completely removed that distributor can be broken if using a pry bar or the proper removal tool.

Benson - this is a good tip. I always have removed that screw completely but only because I know myself - if I do that halfway I will have the screw drop out and I’ll lose it and its lock nut.

One other thing to mention - once you get the distributor out, coat the lower housing with copper anti-seize before you put it back. You will thank yourself the next time you pull it. The copper helps maintain the ground path from the distributor body to the head.

w.michael · 07-12-2023, 10:00 PM

If you do break the housing off in the head, here is a video on how to remove the broken stub from the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOJ_7bKWuaI

W. Michael

ModelA29 · 07-18-2023, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

....... I don't lend tools.

A lesson we all learn the hard way.

Marshall V. Daut · 07-18-2023, 06:39 PM

w. michael -
Hey! That's a pretty slick way of removing a broken distributor stub! 'Sure beats pulling the cylinder head! Where was this video when I needed it in 1974 while driving through the Hartz Mountains range in Germany in my 1928 Roadster?

While trying to change distributors at night in the ever-present rain, the old one wouldn't come out. So, I pried underneath and sure enough! It broke in two. Rats! 'Had to have it towed to a local Werkstatt to remove the cylinder head and drive out the stub. Duh on me! This procedure would have saved a ton of time, frustration and money!
Marshall

Patrick L. · 07-19-2023, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29

A lesson we all learn the hard way.

Thats a hard learned lesson. I guess I'm a sucker, I write it down. I must have forgot and loaned my right angle screwdrivers. Of course I needed them the other day. Had to go buy them. Thats irritating !

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 07-20-2023, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w.michael

If you do break the housing off in the head, here is a video on how to remove the broken stub from the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOJ_7bKWuaI

W. Michael

Fellow Fordbarner Randall did a great job on that video. He makes a GREAT point about 'what if you had to go thru all of that on the side of the road?'!!

mcgarrett · 07-20-2023, 07:39 PM

Some time ago I learned that this is a common problem, especially cars that have been sitting for a long time or just neglected. When I got my first Model A home I made sure the distributor wasn't stuck, pulled it out and coated the distributor stub and distributor hole with anti-seize and made sure it could be easily removed if needed...and NOT on the side of the road!

MilwaukeeMike · 07-30-2023, 09:04 PM

One way to get one out without damaging things is to get a cheap plastic body tool set from Harbor Freight. I used this tool and a plastic hammer. Shove the pointed end between the head and distributor like a wedge while gently tapping the distributor body. Switch sides a few times. Unless really stuck, it will slowly ease out and not destroy anything.

07-12-2023, 07:36 AM	#1
oldspert Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 237	stuck distributor Installed the oil pan and was going to pull the distributer to pour oil down the hole. But it will not come out. There is something stopping it from coming out of the bore in the head. MCGarrett came over to help and still no go. It moves about 1/16 of an inch and hits a solid mechanical stop, will not move any more. No amount of prying will make it come out. We have decided the pin holding the lower shaft has partially slipped and will not let any movement past a certain point. Any ideas will help to get this thing out. If nothing else, I am going to pull the head with the distributer left in.

07-12-2023, 08:50 AM	#2
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,131	Re: stuck distributor Do NOT strongarm pry underneath the casting body! It will break in two, leaving a stub of the base stuck in the head. Then you'll have to pull the head to drive out that broken piece. Order a dedicated distributor puller from one of the vendors. It's inexpensive enough to be part of any serious Model A owner's tool selection. Besides, you can loan to friends also in need. I have never encountered a stuck distributor that this tool couldn't pull up and out. It's one of the best Model A tools out there. While waiting for it to arrive, spray Kroil or some other super penetrate on the exposed portion of the distributor's stub to assist in loosening the distributor inside the head. Not absolutely necessary if you use the removal tool, but it couldn't hurt. Marshall

07-12-2023, 09:11 AM	#4
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,168	Re: stuck distributor I assume you removed the set screw in the side of the head securing the distributor housing - right!

07-12-2023, 09:11 AM	#5
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,131	Re: stuck distributor Good point, Benson. That set bolt is an easy thing to overlook when removing the distributor. Marshall

07-12-2023, 10:31 AM	#6
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,604	Re: stuck distributor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) See red and blue text in post #3.

07-12-2023, 09:10 AM	#3
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,604	Re: stuck distributor If the original Ford screw with a slot and with locking nut is being used you MUST completely remove this screw from the head. Not only must you loosen the screw ... you must remove it from the head If not removed then there is an area on the end of locking screw which is "turned down". This part of the screw will hang up in the groove in dist housing and not let dist be removed even though it appears that the screw is loose. Once you get distributor out you can plainly see the reason for the problem. Last edited by Benson; 07-12-2023 at 10:35 AM.

07-12-2023, 01:16 PM	#7
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,168	Re: stuck distributor Benson, Look at the time stamp on both our post - 1 minute apart. I was posting when you were and so was Marshall- OK. Rusty Nelson

07-12-2023, 02:50 PM	#9
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,852	Re: stuck distributor [QUOTE=Marshall V. Daut;2239878]Order a dedicated distributor puller from one of the vendors. It's inexpensive enough to be part of any serious Model A owner's tool selection. Besides, you can loan to friends also in need. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...6320&cat=41753 I made one similar to this one years ago and still use it. I'm not as nice as you tho, Marshall. I don't lend tools. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 07-12-2023 at 02:59 PM.

07-12-2023, 03:59 PM	#11
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,604	Re: stuck distributor My point in above posts is that if the original Ford screw is not completely removed that distributor can be broken if using a pry bar or the proper removal tool.

07-12-2023, 10:00 PM	#13
w.michael Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 419	Re: stuck distributor If you do break the housing off in the head, here is a video on how to remove the broken stub from the head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOJ_7bKWuaI W. Michael

07-18-2023, 06:39 PM	#15
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,131	Re: stuck distributor w. michael - Hey! That's a pretty slick way of removing a broken distributor stub! 'Sure beats pulling the cylinder head! Where was this video when I needed it in 1974 while driving through the Hartz Mountains range in Germany in my 1928 Roadster? While trying to change distributors at night in the ever-present rain, the old one wouldn't come out. So, I pried underneath and sure enough! It broke in two. Rats! 'Had to have it towed to a local Werkstatt to remove the cylinder head and drive out the stub. Duh on me! This procedure would have saved a ton of time, frustration and money! Marshall

07-20-2023, 07:39 PM	#18
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 952	Re: stuck distributor Some time ago I learned that this is a common problem, especially cars that have been sitting for a long time or just neglected. When I got my first Model A home I made sure the distributor wasn't stuck, pulled it out and coated the distributor stub and distributor hole with anti-seize and made sure it could be easily removed if needed...and NOT on the side of the road!