I am working a 56 Victoria. Probably not an original engine. The distributor is frozen in the block. What is the best way to break it loose?

If you have time to be patient, penetrating oil, light taps with a hammer and if you are careful, perhaps a torch.

If it needs to be out now, a pipe wrench.  Carefully work it back and forth.  This WILL cause cosmetic damage and could actually break the distributor, if you are not careful.  A torch could help here, as well.

either method is a lot easier if the engine is out of the vehicle.


Lawrenceville, GA

Baldmustang;  I have ran into this a couple of times. I use PB BLASTER  or Kane Kroil  Spray it around the base and let it set for a day or so , Just give it shot every couple of hours  If you have a strap wrench Go around the base of the Dist. After a day or so give it push. If you can get any movement , spray more  Kano  Kriol  there and go the other way. I have done this some times for two or three days just to get it to move Once you get movement back and forth.   It should free up the more Liquid you use. Also if you can use a flat brake spoon between the block and Dist. to try to get movement up and down.  Also twist it back and forth while trying to go up and down. Use lots of Kano Kriol. Hope that helps. Bob

Thank You. I have been using PB blaster for about 4 days. I am not in a hurry, so I will keep at it. It gave me a flashback to 1961.I was a senior in high school.  I had a 55 2 door that I was using to commute to school. I tried to adjust the timing and the Distributor was stuck. I stopped at a local garage and asked for help. The mechanic tried and failed. I thanked him drove off and I still remember he look in the mechanic's eyes. Now I know, I should have given him a couple of bucks for trying.

i agree with b blue,tho for different reason,the dist is aluminum and will expand more than cast iron.try packing ice around the base for a few hrs. they can be mean to get out. if you get it out a newer 1 with a ring they have more clearance, or get a bit off where the dist goes into the block. and us a gasket as it may leak with the increased clearance

I have used a co2 fire extinguisher with some light taps works like a charm . Aim right out the base and give it a good shot

NEVER NEVER put a gasket between the distributor and the block.In fords service manual it states that the measurement from bottom of gear to housing shoulder has a .005" tolerance.Using a gasket under the distributor will mess up that measurement.

Clean  the area well and pour hot pariffin wax around the distributor base. Let it sit a few minutes and try again. Worked for me.



"FREE SAMPLE"

Same thing for an "O" Ring on the Housing. There is a Groove for One but not used in this Case.