The Ford Barn

JimG1127 · 11-12-2022, 09:30 PM

I want to set the point gap and set the timing on my A that i bought a month ago. [COLOR="Black"]Cannot get the Distributor cam screw loose. Probably hasn't been adjusted in years. I sprayed it with WD40. Put the cam wrench on it and tried to loosen the screw. Nothing. I'll try it again tomorrow. Any tips? If I can't get it loose do I need to take the distributor apart?
Thanks.

JimG1127 · 11-12-2022, 09:32 PM

Its a '29 Roadster.

mcgarrett · 11-12-2022, 09:38 PM

I'd recommend using the largest flat blade screwdriver you can find that the blade will fit nicely into the slot of the screw and put some muscle on it. If that doesn't work, then you may have to resort to using one of these...

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...tid=pla-110031

Ramman · 11-12-2022, 09:40 PM

Large screw driver bit in a 3/8" drive socket. One hand palm down on top of socket. Other hand on a breaker bar. Leverage is your friend.

CT Jack · 11-12-2022, 10:01 PM

I would remove the distributor and place it in a vise then try using a small impact gun while holding the cam with a visegrip plier. If the cam gets damaged it can be replaced with a new one.

J Franklin · 11-12-2022, 11:04 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My big screwdriver has a square shank that I can grip with a crescent wrench for leverage. Just a thought.

Big hammer · 11-12-2022, 11:34 PM

J Franklin’s method is what I’ve done, keep downward pressure on the driver. You don’t have to hold the cam when loosening the screw. Get some better penetrating oil, I like PB blaster

Brentwood Bob · 11-13-2022, 12:53 AM

The tang on the end of the distributor shaft can be damaged. Putting the shaft in a vise would be my approach. If the distributor won't pull out of the head, then vice grips on the cam would be my next step.

JimG1127 · 11-13-2022, 10:20 AM

All good tips. Thanks. A thicker bladed screwdriver would help. I agree, more leverage is needed. I love my breaker bar when its time to take off lug nuts. I'll put it to use here too.

Ramman · 11-13-2022, 10:54 AM

Realize it would be some down time and require a parts order, but if you damage the tang on the distributor shaft by loosening the cam, it should be replaced anyhow. I'd rather know that while I'm doing a tune-up in my garage than to have it leave you stranded on the side of the road.

katy · 11-13-2022, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

I'd recommend using the largest flat blade screwdriver you can find that the blade will fit nicely into the slot of the screw and put some muscle on it. If that doesn't work, then you may have to resort to using one of these...

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...tid=pla-110031

That link just takes me to their website, no particular tool.

Bob C · 11-13-2022, 12:32 PM

The link takes me to and impact driver.

mleder · 11-13-2022, 03:25 PM

Please do not use the impact driver that you smack with a hammer. Very good chance you will break the cast iron casting of the distributor. Better choice is get a hex nut that fits a 5/16" thread and which a 1/2" wrench will fit. Place the nut atop the screw and a quick simple mig weld thru the center will fix the nut to the screw and the heat created by the weld will help greatly to loosen the screw.

burner31 · 11-13-2022, 03:42 PM

Do you have a air compressor and a impact wrench?

redmodelt · 11-13-2022, 03:53 PM

Unless you put it in, could be someone could not keep it tight because it was missing the lock washer and used loctite.

J Franklin · 11-13-2022, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmodelt

Unless you put it in, could be someone could not keep it tight because it was missing the lock washer and used loctite.

Some added heat could easily answer that question.

Benson · 11-15-2022, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmodelt

Unless you put it in, could be someone could not keep it tight because it was missing the lock washer and used loctite.

Very true ... could be that they only added the flat washer and not the lock washer. Or the other way around!

Originally Ford had a thin flat washer and a thin lock washer.

If you leave out either one the screw bottoms out in shaft and cam never gets tight.

Benson · 11-15-2022, 03:11 PM

Note the SOME newer repro ( thin flat washer and thin lock washer )

has been replaced with one lockwasher that is as thick as the lock washer and flat washer together.

Bud · 11-17-2022, 10:43 AM

Use heat from a propane torch on the head of the screw, then let it cool, then repeat several times. Then apply some penetrating oil (after it cools). Then it may come off. Do not use excessive force where you damage the screw slot (as others have said, the screwdriver should fit in the slot snugly). If this process does not remove the screw, then drill the screw out gradually until the head pops off.

Terry, NJ · 11-17-2022, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

I want to set the point gap and set the timing on my A that i bought a month ago. [COLOR="Black"]Cannot get the Distributor cam screw loose. Probably hasn't been adjusted in years. I sprayed it with WD40. Put the cam wrench on it and tried to loosen the screw. Nothing. I'll try it again tomorrow. Any tips? If I can't get it loose do I need to take the distributor apart?
Thanks.

Using the large flat blade screw driver as recommended is one. Many large screw drivers are square shank which means more force can be applied with a small adjustable wrench. Mix up a little acetone and ATF (auto trans. fluid) this is better than WD40. If that doesn't work. Try a little heat. and light taps with a hammer. Warning! Don't get mad at it! You will note that the threads are different than any other! I don't even know the thread size! I'm pretty sure it's another one of Henry's weird metrics. DON"T LOSE IT OR WRECK IT! Neither Lowes or Home Depot has it. So be patient, it will come loose! Good Luck!
Terry

11-12-2022, 09:30 PM	#1
JimG1127 Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: New York Posts: 50	Distributor cam screw I want to set the point gap and set the timing on my A that i bought a month ago. [COLOR="Black"]Cannot get the Distributor cam screw loose. Probably hasn't been adjusted in years. I sprayed it with WD40. Put the cam wrench on it and tried to loosen the screw. Nothing. I'll try it again tomorrow. Any tips? If I can't get it loose do I need to take the distributor apart? Thanks.

11-12-2022, 09:32 PM	#2
JimG1127 Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: New York Posts: 50	Re: Distributor cam screw Its a '29 Roadster.

11-12-2022, 09:38 PM	#3
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 951	Re: Distributor cam screw I'd recommend using the largest flat blade screwdriver you can find that the blade will fit nicely into the slot of the screw and put some muscle on it. If that doesn't work, then you may have to resort to using one of these... https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...tid=pla-110031

11-12-2022, 09:40 PM	#4
Ramman Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 95	Re: Distributor cam screw Large screw driver bit in a 3/8" drive socket. One hand palm down on top of socket. Other hand on a breaker bar. Leverage is your friend.

11-12-2022, 10:01 PM	#5
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 433	Re: Distributor cam screw I would remove the distributor and place it in a vise then try using a small impact gun while holding the cam with a visegrip plier. If the cam gets damaged it can be replaced with a new one.

11-12-2022, 11:04 PM	#6
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,969	Re: Distributor cam screw Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My big screwdriver has a square shank that I can grip with a crescent wrench for leverage. Just a thought.

11-12-2022, 11:34 PM	#7
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Distributor cam screw J Franklin’s method is what I’ve done, keep downward pressure on the driver. You don’t have to hold the cam when loosening the screw. Get some better penetrating oil, I like PB blaster __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

11-13-2022, 12:53 AM	#8
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,259	Re: Distributor cam screw The tang on the end of the distributor shaft can be damaged. Putting the shaft in a vise would be my approach. If the distributor won't pull out of the head, then vice grips on the cam would be my next step.

11-13-2022, 10:20 AM	#9
JimG1127 Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: New York Posts: 50	Re: Distributor cam screw All good tips. Thanks. A thicker bladed screwdriver would help. I agree, more leverage is needed. I love my breaker bar when its time to take off lug nuts. I'll put it to use here too.

11-13-2022, 10:54 AM	#10
Ramman Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 95	Re: Distributor cam screw Realize it would be some down time and require a parts order, but if you damage the tang on the distributor shaft by loosening the cam, it should be replaced anyhow. I'd rather know that while I'm doing a tune-up in my garage than to have it leave you stranded on the side of the road.

11-13-2022, 12:32 PM	#12
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,760	Re: Distributor cam screw The link takes me to and impact driver.

11-13-2022, 03:25 PM	#13
mleder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 181	Re: Distributor cam screw Please do not use the impact driver that you smack with a hammer. Very good chance you will break the cast iron casting of the distributor. Better choice is get a hex nut that fits a 5/16" thread and which a 1/2" wrench will fit. Place the nut atop the screw and a quick simple mig weld thru the center will fix the nut to the screw and the heat created by the weld will help greatly to loosen the screw.

11-13-2022, 03:42 PM	#14
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Distributor cam screw Do you have a air compressor and a impact wrench? __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

11-13-2022, 03:53 PM	#15
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,342	Re: Distributor cam screw Unless you put it in, could be someone could not keep it tight because it was missing the lock washer and used loctite. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

11-15-2022, 03:11 PM	#18
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,601	Re: Distributor cam screw Note the SOME newer repro ( thin flat washer and thin lock washer ) has been replaced with one lockwasher that is as thick as the lock washer and flat washer together. Last edited by Benson; 11-18-2022 at 11:50 AM.

11-17-2022, 10:43 AM	#19
Bud Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 819	Re: Distributor cam screw Use heat from a propane torch on the head of the screw, then let it cool, then repeat several times. Then apply some penetrating oil (after it cools). Then it may come off. Do not use excessive force where you damage the screw slot (as others have said, the screwdriver should fit in the slot snugly). If this process does not remove the screw, then drill the screw out gradually until the head pops off.