Do I need to remove this top piece, or do i remove the pickup coil from the bottom somehow?

 

You have to pull the distrib out of the engine. Then knock a roll pin out of the bottom, then pull the shaft out. Then there is a clip on top the pick up coil to remove and it will fly across your garage and knock something off the shelf. Then you can remove the pick up coil.

 

 

its suprisingly easy, as long as you have something to push the pin out with.

 

Yes, it's very easy. You must rotate the crankshaft so the distributor rotor points to the number one plug. Mark the position and pull the distibutor out. Punch out the spring metal roll pin at the drive gear, and pull the shaft apart. This is sometimes tough due to the fact that there is baked on varnish and dried oil and gunk in the shaft. Also when removing the roll pin, notice the dimple in the drive gear, it must match and line up with the electrode tip of the rotor when you put the shaft, gear and pin back together. Clean and polish the shaft with brake kleen and 600 grit sand paper and lube before putting it all back together. Don't forget the copper ignition shield on top of the pickup coil. Reuse it and polish it up with steel wool or metal polish. Not a bad idea to replace the ignition module and rusty screws while you in there and complete the rebuild!

 

Hey
You shold change the hole axle with the magnet or you certainly will be in trouble later on! So rusty! Had a few problems myself!! The car decided by itself if it shold have 2000 rpm or 600 rpm or nothing!

 

Yeah, I didn't know the gear had a dimple when I pulled mine apart. I put it back on 180*off. Then couldn't figure out for a few minutes why the rotor wouldn't line back up with the marks.

 

is it possible to just buy a rebuilt distributor? How much do those things usually go for?

Mine is kinda messed up due to age and corrosion (I think everything has to be redone) so I figure it might be more economical to just get a new/rebuilt one

 

I bought a cardone one, it was new. Totally different design, cost about 2 bills.

 

Pretty rusty....but thats a lotta money for a new dizzy. Could always do what I did with my 5.0....replace the gear and the pickup coil, make sure theres no shaft play, and then wirebrush some of that rust off the "crown" thing that triggers the p/u coil, and anywhere else that looks nasty. Should work just fine for ya then unless it's just totally fubar

 

ah...i was worried it would be costly!

 

The complete distributor assembly for the 2.8 has been discontinued by GM for a while, although all of the parts for the distributor are available individually. Doing the rebuild on your original distributor makes the most sense. It's easy, cheap, and provides the best bang for the buck going. Most of the drivability problems for these cars are ignition related.

 

Dam Dale I was able to pick up the Cardone rebuilt distrib. for $90 at Kragen's

For me it was cheaper then buying all of the parts and rebuild mine own. The new distrib. even came with a new ICM. For some reason the parts indivualy were more expensive. Total for all of the parts was some thing like $150. So do some shoppping first and make sure that you don't pay more than you need to.

 

I bought mine about 3 years ago, and no ICM


:edit: just looked it up, 144.44 plus 55 core. Mine was also brand new, not a rebuild.

I now see mallory makes something for us?? 4569201. Can anyone verify this is for our cars?

 

there is a guy on you tube called buddy craigg he shows u how to change a pick up coil it helped me out alot

 

i have an 89 gta tpi with a new distributor but the pickup is catching what should I do or could be the problem