I need to know if the old distributor will pull straight out when unbolted. (needs replacing)

If I have to move the engine around then I'm screwed because there's no way I can do that myself or have a mechanic do it.

I can remove the hood which is most likely necessary. I'm more worried about that plastic piece that hangs over the firewall. That long piece that goes from fender to fender. If it ca be removed I guess I can find the bolts for it.

any tips appreciated!

thanks.

-simon

 

Hi,

 

It is possible to remove the distributor without moving the engine but the hood will have to be removed. Also, you will want to buy a set of distributor wrenches, as it will save your knuckles a million times over! Last of alli dont think you will have to take off the plastic peice.


Sparrow

 

ok sound groovy

I thought you needed some special tool for the distributor. When I was under the hood I couldn't really see where to unbolt. But then again it was really dark. Damn barns! =\

I had growing concerns when I saw how packed everything really was. The plenum and runners are right there. The firewall. and numerous other little things. errr and the hood which I kept hitting my head on.

thanks for the info. It better be right jk

peace!.

 

One issue you should be aware of, that I wish I had known. I replaced the dist. on my car (190,000 miles approx.), and when I stabbed the new one, apparently some of the layers of gunk/carbon built up above the bushing slot dropped down, or stuck to the sides of the new dist.. The clearances are tight enough at the closest point that this has apparently made it quite difficult to turn the distributor now to adjust the timing. I set the distributor in close enough to the position of the old one, that fortunately, my initial timing is only a couple of degrees off from optimum as pretty much the thing wont budge now.

 

umm having removed the distrib from dozens of thirdgens countless times, id have to say that i have NEVER removed a hood to get it out.. lol.

you take the distrib cap off.

then you loosen the hold down bolt and slide the clamp back.

note the position of the rotor.

now while watching the position of the rotor, pull the distrib up. the way its pointing when it clears the cam gear is the way you want it to be when you drop it in... that way the final position of it matches the orignal position..



a distributor wrench is nothign more then a curved wrench that makes it easier to loosen the hold down bolt. nice to have, but it can be done without one.

 

good good don't have to remove the hood

I hope this goes as easy as it sounds.

I'll post back here when the new distributor is in or if there are any problems.

thanks for the info guys.