how do i pull the distributor?

[blue75Z]

i need to pull the dist. from the engine (75 280 z), and am wondering how exactly to go about it. any help or links to other instructional pages would be greatly appreciated!

TIA

Anthony

[LanceM]

Taking it out is easy, getting it back in right is the hard part. Assuming that it is the same as the L24 engine, take the cap off and mark where the rotor is pointed on the body with a marker, this will help putting it back on. Remove the two bolts holding the distributor, they are under the distributor, feel around you will find them. Pull the distributor out.

Putting it back in is a little trickier, when you reinstall it you will have to offset the rotor a bit so when the gears mesh it returns to your mark, keep trying until you get it. Unless you want a lot of extra work don't turn the engine over while the distributor is out!

Lance

[Royce]

Hmm... you shouldn't have to worry about aligning the gear unless you actually remove the distributor/oil pump shaft. All the L6 distributors don't include the gear and have an offset key slot on it so it will only go back on one way. As mentioned there are two bolts that mount the distributor to the front engine cover. You will have to also remove the distributor cap, wire lead, and vacuum advance hose. It's been a while since I have removed one but I don't remember there being any other difficulties. Of course the 280Z distributor is a bit larger than the 240 distributors so mileage may vary.

I have seen other non-Z cars were the distributor gear is part of the distributor assembly. I helped a buddy with an old Jeep and we had a lot of fun getting the distributor lined up again. If I remember correctly you can remove and reinstall without even upsetting your ignition timing. That is if you don't change any parts in your distributor while it is out.

Hope it helps!

[tanny]

Royce is correct. Tonight I just replaced my points distributor with a 1980 electonic distributor. Very easy, and tach works fine. Victor.

[LanceM]

Yep I remember now, no gear, well it's been awhile and a lot of other cars since

[Mike]

Originally posted by blue75Z

i need to pull the dist. from the engine (75 280 z), and am wondering how exactly to go about it. any help or links to other instructional pages would be greatly appreciated!

It's an easy job. Just disconnect the vacuum hose, electronics, and then the two bolts holding it in place down by the engine. I think they are 10 or 12mm bolts.

You shouldn't have to mark it because the connection to the engine has an offset slot that makes it impossible to put it in backward.

There is probably a gasket between the distributor and the mount-point on the engine, so, you might need to tap it from side-to-side to get it to break free.

[Mike]

Originally posted by tanny

Royce is correct. Tonight I just replaced my points distributor with a 1980 electonic distributor. Very easy, and tach works fine. Victor.

Victor, what year did you replace? I'm thinking about doing this very same thing. Was it a simple plug-and-play install?

[tanny]

I put the 1980 ZX distributor into my 1973 240. I used this schematic and used the zx coil.

www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/ZXPertronix.htm

Victor.

[SuDZ]

I have a question about the distributer. I hear people say that they upgraded the 240 to the 280 cap. This I understand the reasons etc but since I have not looked yet at mine, is the 260 a points distributer or electronic? I was figuring points but not sure since I am right in the middle and did not hear anyone say anything about upgrading to a 260's. Just looking to confirm.

SuDZ

[Royce]

Are you talking about swaping the cap, which is what you said, or swaping the entire distributor, which is what I think you meant. I believe the caps are smaller on the cars with points, so they would not directly swap with the later distributors.

I am not sure about the early cars by my late 260Z (built 12/74) distributor did not have points. The module for the distributor was is the passenger foot well kick panel. The 280ZX module is mounted on the outside of the distributor and is a much smaller unit. So I think the ZX distributor swap would be much easier. Also, I think there are a lot more ZX's out there than 260Z's and parts are more available.

[SuDZ]

I have no idea where cap came from in my typing. I did mean distributer.

SuDZ