2 replies to this topic

[Randy B]

1974 E200, 302. The distributor is stuck. My timing is off about 4 degrees and I would like to fix it. Any ideas on how to free up my distributor. I have the clamp off and have sprayed it with PB blaster but no luck. I cannot get the distributor shaft to rotate. I do NOT want to crack the collar on the shaft like I have done on other vehicles ( many years ago, in another life).

Thanks,

Randy B

[Tom Snyder]

Well, that’s a new one. *Maybe* you can clamp some vice grips on it & then tap on them. Just tap. Tap, tap, tap, tap. If you don’t have power brakes you can reach it from the front, otherwise.... ?? All you can really do is keep trying. Might help if the engine is good & hot. Don’t break it!
If your timing is off by 4 degrees it might be time to check your timing chain.
Rotate the crankshaft back & forth & watch the distributor rotor to see how much slack is in the chain. If there is a big lag between when you start rotating the crank the opposite direction, (big socket on the crankshaft damper bolt), & when the rotor starts to move, it's time to replace the chain & gears.
Stock cam gears are plastic & are known to wear out fairly fast. Sometimes around 40-50 thousand miles. Replace with a good double roller set with a steel cam gear.

[Randy B]

Tom , You're probably right about the timing chain. This is, as far as I can tell, the original engine (80K miles) with no work done to it. I have a spare engine, a 1969 302 that I keep saying I'm going to rebuild and swap out. Maybe this little stuck distributor will put me back in the mood to work on my vechicles... and they all need work! Oh.. I do have power brakes
Thanks,
Randy B