Distributor Mounting screw and locking nut

[Afordman31]

Anyone have an idea for a wrench modified for loosening the nut that locks the distributor in place? This is a real pain to loosen using the after market exhaust manifold. After the nut is loosened it is easy by using a screw driver to unscrew the locking screw. Any help or pictures of a modified wrench would be appreciated. Afordman31

[Patrick L.]

Maybe a picture would help since I'm not sure what kind of manifold you have. But, most folks have a few wrenches that have been 'warped' to suit their needs.
I've not seen an instance where a straight 9'16" didn't work.

[jw hash]

take a 3/8 fine threaded bolt and cut it the same length as the screw turn the end down and just use a 9/16 wrench on it. be careful not to over tighten the bolt.

[CarlG]

A 90 degree screwdriver works

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by jw hash

take a 3/8 fine threaded bolt and cut it the same length as the screw turn the end down and just use a 9/16 wrench on it. be careful not to over tighten the bolt.

I did about the same thing on a used HC head. I bought the head at a swap meet and didn't notice that the threads were stripped in the head. I had to go with the next larger size bolt and retap the head

[redmodelt]

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Just don't over tighten the bolt. One of our customers did that and crushed the casing enough to put a squeeze on the shaft. Screw or bolt, just tight enough to hold, not to crush.

[FrankWest]

This bolt is a real pain in the ass.
I removed it easily enough to switch out distributers and now I CAN'T get it back in?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

This bolt is a real pain in the ass.
I removed it easily enough to switch out distributers and now I CAN'T get it back in?

Geez Frank, you dug really deep to bring this one out!!

I tend to have the best luck installing the Distributor Set-screw first sans the Lock Nut. Twist the set-screw backwards while pushing against the threads to make sure you are straight, and then begin turning the screw inward. On the off-chance your cylinder head threads are bad, try using a thread chaser or bottoming tap in the hole to clear the threads.

[Ernie Vitucci]

I agree with Brent....Ernie in Arizona

[Gene F]

My setscrew has gotten stiff. Now days if I wanna pull the distributor I slip my 9/16 in there and back my lock nut off about 1 turn. Since the setscrew turns with it then I simply pull the distributor up.

Everyone is correct, they need not be very tight.

[nkaminar]

Would a set screw with an Allen wrench end work here? My manifold is stock and not in the way so I just use a regular screw driver, but I know some of the manifolds used for heaters get in the way. I guess the other option would be to drill a hole through the manifold to allow a regular screw driver to work, assuming the hole would not go into the exhaust passage. If it did, maybe a pipe plug would work. As far as modifying a wrench is concerned, most wrenches are hardened and hard to bend, so a torch is needed to bend them. Without a photograph, it is hard to recommend how to modify a wrench. I would say just to modify it to fit.

[Dale'45]

Our '30 coupe has an Autolite heater manifold . No problem with a 9/16s combination wrench and a screwdriver through the hole in the manifold. Dale