PFF - Pennock's Fiero Forum, PDA Edition

Pulling a Stuck 4.9L Distributor (Page 1/3)

Dennis LaGrua

JUN 19, 09:25 PM

The old distributor was shot and it needed replacement so I purchased a new unit but distributor on my 4.9L is stuck solid in the block. Removed the hold down bolt and bracket and even by using a prybar and hammer the the distributor won't pull out or even turn. I am thinking about using a Dremel with a cutting disc but tomorrow I will try applying heat. I sure wish that there was an easier way. Any suggestions?

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shemdogg

JUN 19, 09:46 PM

Sounds like its meshed too tight w the gearssss, try turning the motor or running the starter while prying up w 2 screwdrivers or prybars at opposing sides. U gonna need more hands. If you could wedge a small flathead screwdriver between it and the block, it should come loose w a little side tap motivation from a hammer.

shem

MarkS

JUN 19, 10:32 PM

Getting it to turn should help. Can you get a big wrench on the square feature of the distributor neck? Or maybe into the jaws of a pipe wrench?

jelly2m8

JUN 20, 01:58 AM

Dennis... My friend a 4.9? .... its the years of lack of oil changes, get it turning and start prying... the old boys would say ' Come or Bust!'

#getSavagewithiT

[This message has been edited by jelly2m8 (edited 06-20-2023).]

Dennis LaGrua

JUN 20, 08:03 AM

quote

Originally posted by jelly2m8:

Dennis... My friend a 4.9? .... its the years of lack of oil changes, get it turning and start prying... the old boys would say ' Come or Bust!'

#getSavagewithiT

I have a 4.9L Caddy in one of my Fieros. Never been the greatest promoter of SBC V8's in Fieros but the lightweight ones seem to work well. When we consider Darkhorizons 9.87 1/4 mile run @147 mph with his 3800 Turbo that may say it all for the V6. What pushed me to do the 4.9L swap was that its lightweight, an easy swap, has strong torque, gets good hwy mileage and the factory gearing makes the engine quiet on the highway and when cruising. ( I never cut the trunk out) Thought that I'd take a stab at a quiet highway cruiser for a change. Yes its a dinosaur but the cost was inexpensive.
As for oil changes the engine that I have has only 66K miles on it. When I took off the valve covers to inspect the valve train it was extremely clean, no sludge at all. A leakdown test showed the cylinder were in excellent shape.
Some good suggestions here on this post and I've got PB blaster on it now. Cannot turn that disty in the block at all. Its locked in solid. If that doesn't work I'll apply some heat. No need to worry about the distributor internals as they are shot. Have a new one distributor handy if I can ever get the old one out.

jelly2m8

JUN 20, 11:23 PM

just pickin at ya bud, yanno... the ole 4.9 vs 3800 rivalry :P I know you take care of your gear, but whatever holding that dist in is most likely from it's previous life.

Dennis LaGrua

JUN 24, 07:51 PM

Think that I finally figured it out. I am going to try using a 10 lb slide hammer with a 63mm adapter (fork end) used to pull axles.

Spoon

JUN 26, 08:40 PM

Hello Dennis, If I were closer I'd have that dizzy out in a jiff. Put away the crow bars, pipe wrenches and levers. Just remove the hold down clamp and "simply" lift up. The only resistance if any, may be an O-Ring that is in a well lubricated area of the block. Keep us posted.

Spoon

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Dennis LaGrua

JUN 27, 02:41 PM

quote

Originally posted by Spoon:

Hello Dennis, If I were closer I'd have that dizzy out in a jiff. Put away the crow bars, pipe wrenches and levers. Just remove the hold down clamp and "simply" lift up. The only resistance if any, may be an O-Ring that is in a well lubricated area of the block. Keep us posted.

Spoon

Thanks for the tip and for your confidence in lifting the distributor out. We did disconnect the bolt and the hold down bracket and you can't pull that disty up and out at all. Been soaking it in PB blaster for a few days. We suspect that its corroded in place- aluminum in aluminum!! . We missed you at Carlisle last weekend. Hopefully we will meet up again next year, the good Lord willing. I will post results and I know it sounds weird but the slide hammer may be the only option at this point..

MarkS

JUN 27, 06:18 PM

quote

Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

Thanks for the tip and for your confidence in lifting the distributor out. We did disconnect the bolt and the hold down bracket and you can't pull that disty up and out at all. Been soaking it in PB blaster for a few days. We suspect that its corroded in place- aluminum in aluminum!! . We missed you at Carlisle last weekend. Hopefully we will meet up again next year, the good Lord willing. I will post results and I know it sounds weird but the slide hammer may be the only option at this point..

Al2O3 (aluminum oxide, essentially sapphire) is pretty damn hard. Maybe some form of phosphoric acid would help.