Dauntless 225 Stuck Distributor

I've been working on this stuck Prestolite in my 1970 CJ5 for about two weeks using Kroil, PB Blaster, CRC Freezeoff and taping the distributor shaft lightly every day. Hasn't moved at all. I haven't used heat yet. Is it okay to use a small propane torch to heat the area where the distributor enters the engine?

I'd really like to avoid taking the front of the engine apart so if anyone has any other suggestions I'd be glad to hear them. TIA. Jack

 

I don’t know that tapping the distributor shaft would do anything to loosen up the distributor housing from timing cover. I would tap the housing and if possible upwards.

Is the engine still in the JEEP?

I’d be careful using heat on the aluminum parts. There should be an O ring to seal the distributor against the timing cover.

 

Thanks for those comments, I was concerned about that if using heat. Yes, the engine is still in Jeep.

 

Thanks for that suggestion, I was wondering if that would be the next thing to try.

 

You have not tried tapping upward on the distributor body? A little gentle tapping with a plastic-faced or dead blow hammer would be ok. I would next try a piece of 2x6 or plywood with a notch to fit under the distributor body. Then tap on the plank to put a little upward force on the distributor body. You could also improvise a slide hammer to pull upward on the distributor shaft; a long piece of threaded rod, something that fits under the distributor cam, and a heavy socket or similar as the sliding hammer. Tap tap tap.

I would first try standing on the frame/bumper and pulling up on the distributor with a little twisting at the same time.

 

You might check with your local parts house and see if they have the slide hammer adapter that fits on a slide hammer. I have one at work and it has come in handy for this and lots of other things. It threads onto the slide hammer shaft and is shaped like a fork to get under the distributor body.

 

Good suggestions, thanks, I'll try them all. I've gotten stuck distributors freed before but this is a tough one.

 

Good idea, I'll check, thanks.

 

I just went through this torture.
After several attempts, I finally resorted to using the two biggest cold chisels I have.
Using several pieces of steel,under two sides of the dizzy, to take up the space beneath it, then tapping the chisels in between the steel spacers and the dist.,it slowly started to move.
It fought me the entire way until the aluminum neck of the dist. was out, which necessitated adding spacers as it came out.
Unfortunately, it broke the neck of the housing during removal. I was replacing it with an electronic distributor.
In looking for the reason for being stuck, I noted corrosion on the entire length of the neck that was in contact with the timing cover, aluminum/ aluminum corrosion.
In my case, the only other way to have removed this dizzy would have been to remove the timing cover and tapping the dist. out or,worse case, heating the timing cover around the distributor and pulling/ tapping.

 

I would start by heating the timing chain cover at the dist with a propane torch. Then spray an anti corrosion oil on the junction, letting it cool.
Repeat a number of times, allowing the oil to seep into the expanded joint.
Attempt to rotate/remove the dist by tapping with a plastic hammer. Once (if ) it begins to move you have it.....

 

Thanks for the suggestions, glad to hear you finally got yours out.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm hoping to save and reuse the stock distributor. We'll see . . .

 

How did this story end?

 

Finally: success! I decided to ignore it for a few weeks, just kept hitting it with Kroil. Today I removed the grill, radiator and fan, put a strap wrench around the body of the distributor, gave it a few tugs, and it broke free. Way too easy, but I’ll take it!