Distributor timing bolt broke....

[Linda]

Well I have read how fragile this bolt is, pretty obvious and have always been very careful with it. I had to unscrew it to get the distributor out of the way to get #3 spark plug out. After plug was installed , I was carefully retightening, telling myself to go a little at a time when “ snap”... So after trying to grab the tiny nub that was left without success, I decided that even drilling it out was not appealing. I think I will head straight for the machine shop....
Does anyone have the size of the bolt? Might as well have one to give them.

AF8C1937-4929-44DE-9855-40C709D82DAB.jpeg

Linda

[fj20spl311]

Don't know the exact length as all I have is a 2L. Its a 6x1.0 bolt about 15mm in length. Might get a 10.9 if you are ordering, otherwise get 8.8.

[Solex68]

Might try a dremel cutting wheel to cut a slit in the part sticking out then use a flathead screwdriver to extract it

[Linda]

Hmm, good idea Greg. I might not be so lazy and try that

Linda

[C.Costine]

The way that screws are removed in that situation in the rusty old farm tractor world is to grind the screw down perfectly flat with the surrounding surface and then weld a nut to the top of it. Due to the small size you would have to secure the nut to the surface first because the welding wire will move it so easily. RTV silicone would probably work for that. I know that it sounds risky but with the inside of the nut being slightly smaller than the screw, the welding is retained within the nut, and it takes far longer than the one second that the welding will take for any amount of heat to cross into the distributor housing. Since the screw was only just put in there is no corrosion holding it in place.

[notoptoy]

Just a note that this bolt never needs to be so tight that you could break it off. Snug is plenty, it mainly just holds the distributor from turning and doesn't have to do any heavy duty work. In fact, I would think that the bolt must have been compromised as I would expect the soft aluminum distributor base would strip out long before the bolt would break.

[fj20spl311]

Just a note that this bolt never needs to be so tight that you could break it off. Snug is plenty, it mainly just holds the distributor from turning and doesn't have to do any heavy duty work. In fact, I would think that the bolt must have been compromised as I would expect the soft aluminum distributor base would strip out long before the bolt would break.

Correct about the tightness of the bolt, but I suspect that it bottomed out because it was too long and the distributor would still be loose. If not, it should have stripped the aluminum threads before breaking.

[todd lorber]

Linda,
If you need a nut or washer welded onto the end of that screw, let me know.
I will be going up to my shop this weekend to work on the car.

[Linda]

Thx for the offer, Todd, I know you are a great welder!
As it turns out, All Car Parts machinist did the job. I was not feeling inspired or lucky to do it myself, so I had them do it.
He only had to use a small Easy-Out, going slowly, so no tapping or helicoil. The bolt is a M5 0.80 thread pitch x 12mm long, 8.8 hardness. Just need a new rubber O ring and I can reinstall.

F414129A-1D66-4876-92D4-A08B5455A218.jpeg

Thx for the advice and info , should be helpful for the next person also.
Linda

www.allcarparts.org

[todd lorber]

I'm going to be bummed if and whenever All Car Parts close down. The neighborhood is literally redeveloping around them, and I think the days for that store are numbered.

[mraitch]

ACP is indeed a rare place and Lou is a rare character. Prices are reasonable, work stellar so far. Maybe they can just build on top of them - wouldn't that be cool. And Hi Todd.

[MattC]

Looks like the kind of place I would love to have around here.

[dbrick]

It's a shame, all the good old shops are disappearing.

BTW Lowes has the O rings in their hardware nuts and bolts drawers.