My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Hello everyone, I am a new Model A owner. I purchased a 1929 roadster about 2 months ago. It is equipped with an FSI electronic ignition, so the distributor has an aluminum magnet sleeve instead of a points cam. I don’t think the timing has been adjusted since the electronic ignition was installed by the previous owner about 3 years ago.
I am trying to loosen the cam screw to adjust the timing, but the screw is stuck. I have applied penetrating oil, and I tried turning the screw almost as hard as I can with the biggest screwdriver I own, but it won’t budge. The screw slot is starting to get mangled from my efforts. - Does anyone have any suggestions for loosening this screw? - What is the risk of twisting or breaking something if I find a way to turn the screw really really hard? Thanks, Brian Lindenlaub |
Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Dont those adjust by turning the whole distributor???
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck possibly there is locktite on the screw,concentrated heat might loosen it as long as nothing else get will get ruined.
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Have had that happen a few times. Been successful with using a square-shanked screwdriver with an adjustable wrench on the shank. Need to apply all the downward pressure you can on the screwdriver while turning the wrench. Use a screwdriver that is not loose in the slot. Equally well is a straight-blade screwdriver bit socket with a small ratchet and again put downward pressure. Even a bit for a drill-driver would fit in a 1/4" drive socket.
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Keep soaking with penetrating fluid, add some heat, then try tightening and loosening alternately with the impact driver.
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Take the distributor out so you can hold the shaft tight. You won’t hurt anything.
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck 1 Attachment(s)
Which FSI distributor do you have?
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Heat and moderate blows on top of a screwdriver head while the screwdriver is in the slot of the screw.
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Take the largest screwdriver that will just sorta fit the slot and grind the sides straight so it fits the slot tight. This is used in many other applications such as the gun trade or carb repair. The normal screw drive with the angled end buggers up the slots when real torque is needed because they fit too loose.
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Quote:
http://www.fsignitions.com/images/ki..._fz24_t2mu.jpg I tried using a very large freshly-ground screwdriver yesterday without success. The screw slot is getting pretty chewed up. It looks like the next step will be to get out the propane torch. |
Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck use a hand impact driver with distributer in a vise
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Good Morning...You might consider purchasing a NEW stock distributor from one of the major suppliers... and using it in your car... and then working on the stuck one as you have spare time...it might turn out to have other problems, as well...sort of a shame to have the car out of service for a part that is not real expensive...Ernie in Arizona
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Quote:
Have you checked the timing to see if'n it needs to be adjusted? Maybe the timing doesn't need adjusting and you're just making work for yourself. |
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Ruth, probably doesn't need to be timed. My caution is that if you have something that you can't fix easily (and you should be able to) better fix it in the shop because it'll break on the road. Everyone has their own way, that's mine.
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck Quote:
Sorry for the long-winded explanation. I hope it makes sense. I really appreciate everyone's interest and all the suggestions you have given me. One of the reasons I chose a Model A is the strong support within the Model A community like you all have given me. Next I plan to heat the screw with a torch, and then while it is hot have a friend bear down on the screwdriver while I try to turn the screwdriver shaft with a wrench. If that doesn't work, I will try using an impact driver. If that fails, perhaps it's time for a new distributor as Ernie suggested. Brian |
Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck If you have access to a welder, buy a 1/8" npt female to 1/4"npt male black steel pipe bushing fitting. Place the 1/4" side on top of the screw and thru the 1/8" weld a little bit. Let it cool then you can take a 5/8" wrench and have a good grip to turn it loose. The heat will do wonders to loosen things up.
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Re: My Distributor Cam Screw is Stuck i agree with others. Take out the distributer and put it in a vice. Put some heat on the screw. If that does not get it take the distributer to a shop with some older mechanic that has worked on A's and pay him 10 bucks to remove the screw.
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