Distributor Frozen

Essn95

5 Year Member

Jun 21, 2017

817

622

113

Dec 26, 2017

#1

• Dec 26, 2017

• #1

Upon inspection of the timing, it appears that my 95 cobra is way retarded, so upon attempting to advance the timing I encountered this issue. Loosened the hold down bolt, and the distributor will not budge at all. Sprayed some wd40 on it and kept twisting to no avail. Next day got some pb blaster and soaked it, couple love taps with a mallet, and it just barely moved, still soaking it every day but need a better method.

 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog

10 Year Member

Apr 6, 2011

10,739

6,720

214

Hillsborough county

Dec 26, 2017

#2

• Dec 26, 2017

• #2

How did you go about inspecting the timing? What method did you use?

There is an o-ring on the distributor to keep moisture out where it meets the block. Corrosion often builds as electrolysis between the iron block and aluminum housing takes place. If it were me I would mark the timing pointer inside the cap and attempt to remove the distributor, clean or replace then reinstall.

 

Essn95

5 Year Member

Jun 21, 2017

817

622

113

Dec 26, 2017

#3

• Dec 26, 2017

• #3

@a91what I marked off 10 and 14 on the Harmonic balancer and when useing the timing light, the marks weren’t even in sight

 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

SN Certified Technician

Mar 2, 2015

6,945

5,816

213

Dec 26, 2017

#4

• Dec 26, 2017

• #4

There are a lot of factors in checking the timing on a stock engine.

The spout has to be removed ( little square plug hanging off the TFI harness. Also, factory harmonic balancers tend to slip a little bit over time. The rubber insulator between the center and outside of the balancer can do some funky stuff. It usually only shifts a couple of degrees if it moves at all.

I hate when those things seize up in the block. Talk about a PITA

The best advise I can give is to keep turning it back and forth. Eventually, it'll get loose....or break. Usually they don't break.

 

Essn95

5 Year Member

Jun 21, 2017

817

622

113

Dec 26, 2017

#5

• Dec 26, 2017

• #5

I’ll keep on it then, thank you @90sickfox

 

Reactions: 90sickfox

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

20+ Year Stangneter

Jun 14, 2004

9,289

1,632

214

Acworth, GA

Dec 26, 2017

#6

• Dec 26, 2017

• #6

Have you tried to pull the distributor yet?

Kurt

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

11,606

8,859

214

In the garage

Dec 26, 2017

#7

• Dec 26, 2017

• #7

try a small strap wrench

 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

5 Year Member

Aug 25, 2016

27,842

10,516

203

polk county florida

Dec 26, 2017

#8

• Dec 26, 2017

• #8

mikestang63 said:

try a small strap wrench

Click to expand...

Strap wrench used for oil filters is an excellent idea, they also make different size metal ones, lots of blaster and even more patience workong it back and forth.
Yea inspect the balancer, they're usually toast.