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Synchro909 · 07-07-2022, 06:11 PM

The distributor drive from the skew gear that engages the camshaft to the distributor is normally in two pieces. I have seen the internals of an engine in that area so rusted and gunked up that the joints between the sections of shaft have become locked together. I think that is what is happening in that motor and the spring you are feeling is the one that holds the drive gear on place. You may have lifted it far enough that it disengaged the cam shaft so you might do well to check the timing again before trying to start it. Make sure the screw in the side of the head is undone far enough and carefully pull the dizzy up till one of those joints comes free. Distributor bodies are fragile so be careful. I haven't had to do it but I've thought about taking the side cover off and using a screwdriver to prise the shaft off the drive assembly that is held in by the spring.
Let us know how you go.

07-07-2022, 06:11 PM	#7
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,432	Re: distributor drive shaft The distributor drive from the skew gear that engages the camshaft to the distributor is normally in two pieces. I have seen the internals of an engine in that area so rusted and gunked up that the joints between the sections of shaft have become locked together. I think that is what is happening in that motor and the spring you are feeling is the one that holds the drive gear on place. You may have lifted it far enough that it disengaged the cam shaft so you might do well to check the timing again before trying to start it. Make sure the screw in the side of the head is undone far enough and carefully pull the dizzy up till one of those joints comes free. Distributor bodies are fragile so be careful. I haven't had to do it but I've thought about taking the side cover off and using a screwdriver to prise the shaft off the drive assembly that is held in by the spring. Let us know how you go. __________________ When all is said and done, more is said than done. That's why we judge people on what they do, not what they say. I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. If I am not in trouble, I've done something wrong.