Date:         Fri, 3 Jun 2005 21:24:32 EDT
Reply-To:     THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Taking apart a distributor -- arrgh!
Comments: To: xtabe@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 6/3/05 8:23:55 PM, xtabe@YAHOO.COM writes:

<< I can't get the

pin out of the bottom of the distributor shaft.  I hammered on it like

mad and tried heat to no avail.


Anyone have any suggestions? >>

Tabe,

A press is best, but . . .

I went into some detail about this once before.  While I really hate to say
this, I hate to type even more, so, search the archives.  The short of it is
that you have to fabricate a simple cradle or saddle to back up the lugged
coupling half when you pop the pin with a pin punch and hammer.  I made the saddle
by drilling a small block of aluminum to fit the OD of the coupling then I
sliced it in half through the diameter of the drilled hole.  I then drilled an
escape hole for the pin perpendicular to the first hole.  Make sure your pin
punch is dressed square and flat, make sure everything is lined up and well
supported, then pop the SOB without hesitation.  If you have someone who can be
trusted to hold the distributor in alignment while you pop the pin, just chuck
the saddle into a decent bench vice and use you helper as a fixture.

I have seen more than one distributor drive coupling chewed up from being
clamped into unprotected bench vise jaws, I even saw it on a site explaining how
to rebuild a distributor.  Take His advice?  Sure.

George