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MG MGB Technical - Distributor jammed in engine

Hello
My 1967 MBG needed to be timed as it was playing up but

the distributor will not move. I have used penetrating

oil any ideas how to get it out. I found the problem
with the MG it needed a new coil in the end, so it


starts and runs okay, but I cannot time the car for adjustment. Also with out getting under the car to measure what size of socket is needed for the crank nut, for timing
RR BLACKSHAW

What have you done to loosen the distributor?

Have you just slackened the pinch bolt, or have you loosened/removed the two set screws holding the clamp plate?

The crankshaft pulley bolt is 1-5/16"
Dave O'Neill 2

crank also 3/4 Whitworth
G
Graham Moore

Hello
I have loosen the pinch bolt only, and used penetrating oil several times.
RR BLACKSHAW

Try loosening the two set screws which are securing the clamp plate.

If they were tightened after the pinch bolt was, the clamp may still be holding the distributor body even if the pinch bolt is now loose.
Dave O'Neill 2

You definitely need to loosen, or remove, the two bolts on the plate. It's fiddly but possible. The clamp doesn't always slacken when these are tight. I hope the distributor is OK. Over-tightening the clamp can crack the casting on the base of the unit.
Mike Howlett

The clamp plate is often deformed by over-tightening. As said above, remove the two 7/16" AF screws and take the whole lot out.
Allan Reeling

If you have one of the nylon strap oil filter removal tools,Wrap it round the body and it will twist it loose.
s p brown

The base of the distributor can easily be deformed by over-tightening the clamp-plate bolt, which causes the distributor to jump out of the plate.

If the distributor hasn't been moved in a long time then even with clamp plate bolts removed (which is always what I do to remove the distributor) it can still be well stuck. Repeated application of releasing fluid, time, and force may well be required.
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 29/05/2017 and 08/06/2017

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