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'62 F-134 Distributor Stuck?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by eti engineer, Oct 11, 2015.

  1. eti engineer

    eti engineer Member

    As you all know, I bought a new distributor for my Jeep, but I can't seem to get the old one out. I am sure it is the original and has probably been in the engine for 53 years. I did find out that it actually does have a centrifugal spark advance mechanism in it, but it is stuck. No wonder it seemed "retarded".

    I have removed all hold downs, etc. and even the points/condenser plate, and it still just as well be bolted down solidly. I have tapped it a little on the sides to see if it would loosen up, but nothing.

    Has anyone run into this and what did you do before I resort to dynamite?

    Thanks...
     
  2. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    There used to be an adapter to go on a slidehammer for just such occasions. Something could be made pretty easily. Might check local flaps and see if they have something you can borrow or rent. Also soak it down with PB Blaster, Zep Super Penetrant, Kroil, etc. Don't bother with WD-40, use a true penetrating oil.
     
  3. eti engineer

    eti engineer Member

    I have been soaking it down with penetrating lube and it is finally starting to move. Took a pair of whale jaw Vise grips and some leverage, but it is now turning about a 1/4 turn, so time and a little force will eventually bring it out. I do have pullers and a slide hammer, so I might see if I can rig up something. Thanks.

    By the way, any advice on prepping the opening for the new distributor once I get the old one out?

    Later...
     
  4. eti engineer

    eti engineer Member

    I finally got the old one out, cleaned the opening of rust and crud with a rag and some degreaser, put the new distributor in, changed the plug wires around, since they are in a totally different alignment on this new distributor, and timed it. I was a little worried, because I have two timing marks on the crankshaft pulley and they are 180 opposite one another. So I put a piece of tape over the #1 plug opening and cranked the engine until the tape blew off so I could tell I was on the compression stroke. Turned it by hand to line it up and started it. Took care of the "retarded" issue, which was created by the fact that the mechanical advance mechanism on the old distributor was frozen. Runs nicely now. Thanks for your input, Nickmil...
     
  5. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Glad you got it going! I guess it won't be much longer and you'll have it on the road and in the hills. :)
     
  6. 1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    I was going to mention using a pipe-wrench to turn the body of the distributor with. But I am old and slow, plus I blew both of my harddrives with operating systems on the at the same time. Had to start from scratch, and that took a while. One of the reasons I take notes on what I am doing with my installs. just takes a while to go through 7 years of install notes to get back to halfway to where I was. I build my own, and then run software and OS's that aren't supposed to run on them.
     
  7. eti engineer

    eti engineer Member

    Once I get my new brake lines, that is all I need to do. The rest of it seems to be working great!! I just don't trust 53 year old lines, and who knows what's inside them from the Jeep having sat around for several years. The original master cylinder was stuck. Probably some water in the lines, too. Another thing is the frame clips have nearly all rusted away, so there wasn't anything really holding the brake lines from rubbing other things... I figured, I should just start all over again.
     
  8. eti engineer

    eti engineer Member

    Good luck in getting your stuff back to where it was. I built my own 386 computer, way back when that was the latest and greatest thing. It was a screaming fast computer for its time. I have been toying with building a gaming computer, since I do play, but then this Jeep came along and it has been a great therapeutic project for me.