Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Still cannot get lower shaft out...have tried everything I can think of, but no luck. It turns with no problem cranking the engine, but just will not lift out, no matter what I try. Am I the only person who has ever run into this?

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

What seems to be the problem ? Does it seem to be rusted in place ? You're not able to get it to 'wobble' around ?

Usually a tap on the head and a twist, then pull it up with something like snap ring pliers.

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

It does seem like it's stuck to the oil pump gear. Can't imagine why it won't lift out. It rotates with no problem, but won't lift an iota.

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Older reproductions were sometimes a poor fit, too tight or too loose. It could also be that the shafts are rusted together. Have you tried grabbing it with something? Could try a magnet as well.

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

I had an older reproduction one that the tang on the drive gear and the
slot in the lower shaft were not a match and were STUCK. I had to make a collet type puller to get the lower shaft out.

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Oh wow, that's pretty clever. Nice work!

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Endless talent in this hobby, great that you all share.
Nice job Bob thanks for sharing.

I once fashioned a coat hanger, with my own two hands and my own design, to help unlock my car door....LOL

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Hmmm. interesting. Nice.

You never know what you're gonna find with these critters.

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

PalAl,

Oh my, that brings back funny memories. Funny for other people then and funny for me 60 yrs later. I did that on the Sunday morning the day after my marriage to my wonderful wife. We went to Mass in Williamsburg, Virginia and I had to "borrow" a coat hangar from the priest afterwards to get in my 1961 Chevrolet BelAir hardtop.

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Gcenb1 put your location in your avatar might be someone near you that can help,send a pm to the barner that made the tool possibly you can borrow it.

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Now that's funny, bet you were red faced that Sunday morning

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Locked the keys in my pickup many moons ago in front of the police station here in Lincoln Nebraska. Used a coat hanger to get it unlocked. Took me about a half an hour to do it. Had at least 15 officers walk by me. Not one of them checked to make sure I was breaking into my own truck. Safest place to steal a vehicle I guess.

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Take the oil pump out as a last resort?

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

No one wanted to do the paper work.............

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Had the same problem. Cut a 2x4 about the height from the floor to the middle of the valve compartment - took a vice grip plier, laid the back of the plier on the top of the standing 2x4 (as in a fulcrum arrangement); clamped the jaws on the distributor shaft and whacked downward on the back end of the vice grip... out she came !!!!!

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

When I pulled my distributor it had the one piece shat, when I reinstalled the distributor I went with the origins two piece shaft.

The shaft that your going after, how far down from the surface of the head is the end? 1to 2 inches or 6to7 inches?

Re: Distributor lower shaft removal
 

Well, finally got it out...used a vice grip, and between wiggling it side to side, and tapping up on the vice grip, finally was able to very slowly work it up....was totally rusted at top of shaft! Thanks for all the advice and suggestions...very much appreciated.