Remove Stuck Distributor
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- tknishi
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:22 am
- Location: Honolulu, HI
Remove Stuck Distributor
Merry Christmas! I am doing the EI dizzy swap, and I can’t seem to get the distributor out. I removed the one screw, and the distributor moves up about a quarter inch, then it feels like it’s getting hung up on something on the shaft. The distributor spins freely, I just can’t seem to get it any higher than a quarter inch. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance!
'68 2000
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
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Re: Remove Stuck Distributor
Not sure if you are supposed to take out the timing bolt, to the right of the dizzy.
Linda
Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
- tknishi
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- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:22 am
- Location: Honolulu, HI
Re: Remove Stuck Distributor
Mine is a screw, which makes a little harder to get out. I’ll give it a shot
'68 2000
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
- Posts: 7807
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: Remove Stuck Distributor
What you don’t want to do is crank on the screw/ bolt when reinstalling as it can easily break/ strip....
Linda

Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
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- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
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Re: Remove Stuck Distributor
Might be easiest and safest to remove the pedestal too.
Dan
Dan
SPL311 aka Skooter. Sold. Now wasting away in the SF area.
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
- bakerjf
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Re: Remove Stuck Distributor
Remove the oil line that runs to the distributor. Mine did the exact same thing, and I discovered that it was hanging up on the tip of the line (I was using Dean’s aftermarket replacement line at the time).
J. Baker
Lafayette, CA
'69 2000 (Solex)
Lafayette, CA
'69 2000 (Solex)
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- Roadster Fanatic
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Re: Remove Stuck Distributor
It should just come right out, I literally just slide mine out a few hours ago. Perhaps some gentle side-to-side persuasion?
- tknishi
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- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:22 am
- Location: Honolulu, HI
Re: Remove Stuck Distributor
Thank you bakerjf! That’s exactly what was holding it in.bakerjf wrote: Fri Dec 25, 2020 4:48 pm Remove the oil line that runs to the distributor. Mine did the exact same thing, and I discovered that it was hanging up on the tip of the line (I was using Dean’s aftermarket replacement line at the time).
'68 2000
- bakerjf
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Re: Remove Stuck Distributor
You’re welcome. It drove me nuts as well until I figured it out.
J. Baker
Lafayette, CA
'69 2000 (Solex)
Lafayette, CA
'69 2000 (Solex)