OK, 1 screw on my HEI cap is the wrong thread pitch, or something like that, because it screws in and never stops screwing (like it's stripped something) so I assume it's the wrong size. I just need to know what size they are stock.

 

If they are the screws that came with the cap...the dist base is stripped in that hole.

very common.

 

Not to be a smarta$$, but an 84 shouldn't have screws in it. Now, if only I could explain what they do have! THey should have 4 "screws" with a little right angle piece coming off them that locks under the distributor body. It doesn't sound like you have what came stock anyway, so I'll stop there!

 

Ok, obviously there's some confusion on this. What I don't mean is the 4 screw (turn things) that attach the distributor cap to the distributor. What I DO mean is the 2 screws that cover the HEI coil to the distributor cap. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough in the 1st post.

 

Ok, that makes much more sense!

In that case, I would just get a new distributor cap, because it's probably the plastic that's stripped out. There are some very course pitch that appears to be greater than a standard sheet metal screw. You may be able to melt the plastic boss that the screw threads into, but it will probably be a bigger mess than it is worth.

 

JP,

Those screws have PlasTite threads (high pitch, lrge major/minor diameter ratio). I'd replace the cap, too, since it certainly sounds like someone got a little "happy" with the screwdriver.

 

Ah, so that's what they're called! I knew there was a name for them, and that they are specifically for use in plastic. I need to put that tidbit of info in my head somewhere now, so that I can appear to be smart in the future!

 

Yeah. I've been "appearing" to be smart for about 20 years now. I've fooled them this long....

 

I'm jealous.....They all think I know "A Little Bit" which is true!