Distributor, have I gone stuffed it?

[gav240z]

So I was disassembling my 240z distributor off HS30 00150. But I've hit a snag...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/etvxo4iAPejUzLfy5

I was attempting to remove the retaining pin at the bottom of the distributor so I would remove the shaft from the assembly body and I clamped the body on the shaft part using a vice. However as this is soft alloy it has pinched down onto the shaft and now is very stiff to rotate.

I am guessing I've destroyed it's out of round profile.

Does this mean the entire body assembly is stuffed? Or can this be corrected? I do have another spare I can use (original distributor from my 72 240z), but hate to ruin things..and would like to fix it, get it fixed if possible?

[72240Z]

You may be able to turn it 90 degrees in the vice and tweek  it back into shape. Measure it with a set of calipers to see how far out of round it is and then squeeze it slowly till you get it back round. after you get it apart you can use the proper size reamer to repair the bushings. If the one out of a 73 will work you can have it for the postage from the US.

[gav240z]

Thanks for the reply, so I checked the outside diameter with vernier calipers, and I couldn't find any discernible difference in it. I got 26.90mm pretty consistently toward the base. However if you note the lower part that has the pin in it. There was quite a bit of surface rust in it and it looked like it extended up between the distributor housing and the shaft. I sprayed some WD40 in there and started to rotate it and it seems a lot more free than before, so perhaps it's caused by rust?

I honestly cannot recall if the distributor rotated previously. The car it came out of sat since 1995 with a blown head gasket.

Still can't get the pin out of it at the bottom (not in my normal garage with my own tools). Any tips on driving it out?

[lightmaster240z]

Hi Gav  I think I have one or two in the shed of death. I have a look for you tonight. If you need one. I can drop it off at the big guys shed or post it to you. your call

regards  Bruce     

[gav240z]

9 minutes ago, lightmaster240z said:

Hi Gav  I think I have one or two in the shed of death. I have a look for you tonight. If you need one. I can drop it off at the big guys shed or post it to you. your call

regards  Bruce     

Thanks Bruce, I was disassembling for vapour blasting and re-cad plating of fasteners etc.. so not sure I'll need it yet, if I can repair/rebuild this 1.

I did discover 1 of the springs was missing from the weights however.. So I'm guessing the advance wasn't working correctly.

[lightmaster240z]

No probs you know were I am

[gav240z]

For my own reference later.

http://www.jrdemers.com/280ZX/distributor/distributor.html

http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/gmhei.html

[YosemiteZed]

Hi gav

open the vise  jaws about 10mm

put the steel collet of the distributer on top of the vise jaws only

while someone is holding onto th distributer or have something supporting the distributer casing using your pin punch bang the pin out

the pin is probably bent as the collet and washer is too tight for the pin hole alignment 

file the back end of the steel collet a fraction near the casing reassemble and should free up the distributer drive

i had a similar problem on mine after rebushing and assembly 

cheers

phil

 

 

 

Edited January 5, 2019 by YosemiteZed

[Cozza]

YosemiteZed’s got it nailed but I recommend you use a roll pin punch, this’ll help to align the punch on the roll pin.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253815862717

 

if you do find the dizzy tube to be out of round, you should be able to have it re-drilled and new bushes fitted without too much issue 

tbh the original dizzy bushes are probably worn and need replacement anyway  

 

[gav240z]

Thanks Cozza,

I was thinking of replacing the bushing anyway..

Those roll pin punches were cheaper than the others I saw, for $20 worth a try. If they break I'll buy the expensive ones.

On a related note, has anyone managed to remove the spring clips for the cap? They seem to have been riveted in place. I want to re-plate these their true gold colour also, but not sure how I'd remove / re-attach without damaging / ruining them?

[gav240z]

So I cannot get the pin out!

I tried WD40 and a blow torch to heat it up and expand it, but the pin punch is just bending.

So I had another distributor as a spare, so I decided to try remove the pin on that 1 and just a light tap and out it came. So mine is stuck in there good.

What are my options?

1. Drill it out (Not sure if the pin is hardened steel?)

2. Angle grind the steel collet off?

3. Try some kind of dremmel attachment?

4. Other ideas?

[AndBir]

21 minutes ago, gav240z said:

4. Other ideas?

Not sure if it was just a coincidence however, when I could not get the ball joint off the steering knuckle arm it eventually came out after I put it in the freezer for 24 hours.

[gav240z]

57 minutes ago, AndBir said:

Not sure if it was just a coincidence however, when I could not get the ball joint off the steering knuckle arm it eventually came out after I put it in the freezer for 24 hours.

This will go down well with the other half :).

[AndBir]

37 minutes ago, gav240z said:

This will go down well with the other half :).

Well wrapped in cling wrap or the sneaky option hidden under a bag of frozen potato wedges is best

[gav240z]

So I froze it like a paddle pop still no dice. I think now my only option is to grind it off..

I've tried heat, freezing, WD40 and brute force. Nothing is moving that pin. Even tried to drill it out, no luck.

[Enzo]

How about a session at the Gym.

OPPS!!!!!. Sorry.

[Simestime]

Why wouldnt it drill out?? 

[gav240z]

Think it's hardened metal, drill bit doesn't seem to make much progress. I was worried also that by drilling into it, I might make it even harder to get out if I bur the end of it.

It basically hasn't budged. I managed to get the other end off another 240z distributor though. So it's not that I'm doing something wrong. I think this 1 has just rusted itself in good.

[gav240z]

1 hour ago, Enzo said:

How about a session at the Gym.

OPPS!!!!!. Sorry.

I don't wanna get too hamfisted with it, that's how you make things worse. Gotta be careful of that soft alloy.

[Simestime]

Your going to have to press it out. Make a v block so you dont bend the shaft.