Just got my 350tpi installed. Been running slightly off. Checked timing and I'm at 14 degrees. Trying to adjust the distributor to get the timing correct, but the hold down bolt seems like a b*tch to get to. Removed my spark plug wires and the cap, still cant seem to reach it. Am I doing this the right way?

 

haah i had the same problem today. i just got a 9/16 swivel socket and put it on a liek 2 ft extension and it broke loose for me.

 

There is a special wrench that makes it easier. It's shaped like a half square and has a 9/16 head on it. You can probably get it from a parts store. I have one that my father in law gave me.

 

get a distributor bolt wrench. long handeled thing with a bend in it to tuck under the ditributor.

 

Yep, special wrench.

It can also be done with a very short wrench.

 

I took a regular open end wrench, used 2 vice grips and had a friend hold a propane torch, heat it up and bent it and made it a special wrench. Works great.

 

that's a good idea

 

I use a 8" extension and a crows foot- basically an open end wrench head with a 3/8" square so the extension can be inserted.
SD

 

Yeah, A-Zone carries them. Find the old one guy in there that will know what you're talking about. Simply called a dizzy wrench. Has a receptacle for a 3/8 ratchet to drive it. You don't use the ratchet much, just as leverage to rotate the hold-down bolt.

If remote mount coil, loosen the small vacuum manifold attached to the coil mount and push it aside for clearance. Cap and wires can stay in place, which is a good thing when adjusting timing. Double check the timing after tightening down the hold-down.

 

You should be able to find them in the tool section at AutoZone, and they are not expensive.

 

thanks..i just stepped up and bought a set of crow feet. The 9/16 with and extension worked perfectly.

 

Even with the "distributor wrench" or whatever you want to call it, I couldn't loosen the hold down bolt on my LG4. I could get to it but the intake was in the way and so was this unknown bracket.

My dad said to get one of those swivel head wrenches as mentioned above. Just used it today and it works like a charm. I recommend that over the distributor wrench. just my opinion

 

Not all distributor wrenches (or distributors) are created equal. I learned this the hard way. I was in a hurry to do some work on my wife's distributor and had her pick me up a distributor wrench on the way home from work one day. It was the AutoZone special and wasn't quite the right shape. I went and bought a nicer set from Sears and they were better. However the AutoZone one did work on my old Blazer, so there ya go. I'd always prefer to have the correct tool.

 

Na na, I have the endall of all ways to get to that bolt. I have been through countless attempts at that bolt with the L shaped distributor wrench, that thing doesnt do crap. You can also sit there with a short 9/16 wrench, but it takes forever.

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Heres what you have to do. Get a 1/8" ratchet (the small one) and a short 9/16 socket. Get in between the firewall and the motor and bring the wrench in from the back, and get the handle in the area between the distributor cap and the coil. You should have around 3-4" to swing that thing. Few turns of the wrist and the bolt is loose enough to release tension on the hold down clamp. You can literally get that bolt loose, turn the distributor and tighten it in a matter of 30 seconds.