Date:         Wed, 10 Mar 1999 15:00:37 -0500
Reply-To:     "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Distributor question
Comments: To: Rick Koller <rkoller@HELIX.NIH.GOV>

There are two "shade tree" methods I have used, in descending order of
recommendation.

1) Using needle nosed pliers, remove the spring. Then, using needle-nosed
pliers again, insert the closed tips of the needle-nosed pliers about
half-way into the spring hole in the distributor drive. Hold them there,
and fairly forcefully, open the handles of the pliers, so as to force the
tips of the pliers to open and firmly contact the inside to the spring
hole. Slowly and gently, rotate and pull the drive out. You will have to
rotate it about 15 degrees (I think anti-clockwise) to get it to release
from the wormgear on the crank. Don't forget the special washer at the base
of the drive. Use a magnet to get that. Don't drop the washer in the case,
unless you want to split the case.

2) Remove the spring as described. Put a drop of oil in the spring hole if
there isn't any there already (there SHOULD be). Sharpen a regular cedar &
graphite pencil, rubber pencils won't work for this. Break the entire
visible portion of the lead off. Shove the remaining pointed end into the
spring hole, and let it sit there for a minute (soaking up oil, expanding).
Slowly and gently, rotate and pull the drive out. As before, don't forget
the special washer at the base of the drive. Use a magnet to get
that...etc.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Cary, NC     USA
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free


-----Original Message-----
From:   Rick Koller [SMTP:rkoller@HELIX.NIH.GOV]
Sent:   Wednesday, March 10, 1999 11:27 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Distributor question

Hi all,
        I'm helping a friend with an install of a rebuilt engine. I need to
use
the complete distributor assembly from the old engine. Does anyone have a
method to extract the distributor drive from out of the crankcase other
than using the Bentley recommended tool. This is the part that is mated to
the timing gear on the crankshaft. Any shortcuts or advice would be most
welcome. Thanks.

Rick Koller
'90 syncro westie
'91 gl autobox