Removing the distributor for the first time - I messed up

[sdyck]

I messed up while fooling with my timing, I sheared the head of the timing adjustment screw.

 I’m going to need to remove the distributor in order to get out the old screw. This is a new one for me and I need to get it right.

Questions:

1. Am I right that the main adjustment screw that I broke is the only one I need to remove to pull the distributor?

2. If I mark the position of the distributor is there anything else, I need to do to insure is positioned correctly to put it back in place?

3. Does anyone know what size replacement screw/bolt I need?  The head was 10mm but I have no idea what the shaft size and thread pitch was.

4. Finally, I’d like to confirm the model of my distributor, I’m assuming it will be marked somewhere on the main body of the distributor.

 

Thanks,

Steve

[Jeff G 78]

Should be a simple fix.  The timing is controlled by the shaft which is geared to the crank, so you don't need to worry about messing up the timing.  It can only go back together one way.  I'd remove the two bolts that hold the distributor base onto the front cover and pull the whole thing out since you will need to extract the adjustment bolt anyways.  Is part of the bolt still in the distributor mount?  Once pulled, you might get lucky and screw it out the bottom.  Soak it in PB Blaster and let it sit for a bit before attempting to get it out.  If it is frozen, you will need to carefully drill and tap to extract it and clean the threads.  The bolt is a 6mm x 1.25 with a 10mm hex head.  Center punch a dimple as close as possible to the center of the broken bolt and then drill through it with a very small bit.  Redrill with larger bits until you are near the threads.  At this point, the bolt will usually come out with a bolt extractor.  Hit the threads of the base with a 6mm x 1.25 tap and install a new bolt.  

The P/N is on the side of the distributor and can be seen once removed.

[Zed Head]

Hate to bring it up but if this is the first time removing it you might find that the breaker plate is rusty and not moving well.  If you're lucky you can clean it up before it breaks the plastic bearing cage.  Time for a "while I'm here" project, maybe.

[LeonV]

The threads are much more likely to be M6X1.0, bolt is probably something like an M6X1.0X16. Getting the distributor out is very easy. Replace the base gasket while you're at it.

[sdyck]

Thanks have the distributor and the base out. The broken bolt is still in there. I'm going over to Jim Karst's tonight to drill out the bolt. I was going to try an easy out I've had good luck before, but this is a perfect excuse to bend Jim's ear on a few things distributor related and to take a look at his White '71 restoration project before he sells it.

Thanks for the help