Hi Guys,
I am working on my 1970 455 SX. 46k original miles. I have the distributor hold down bolt and plate off, The distributor spins freely but will not lift up. What am I missing? Thanks

 

It's stuck with sludge. Clean where the distributor sets in the block and then soak that area with penetrating oil and let it sit. Go back and pull the distributor upward while twisting it and adding more penetrating oil (not WD40).

You may have to resort to a slide hammer but I wouldn't yet.

Good luck!!!

 

^x2^
Use a penetrating oil (not WD40). Mix ATF:Acetone (50:50). Stir vigorously and spray where distributor meets the block.

 

He said the distributor is spinning which I assume means like you do to set the timing. If that's the case, it's not stuck to the block. I had a similar problem and it turned out that the oil pump shaft was stuck in the bottom of the distributor, which is very common. If that's the case here's the advice I received. Good luck!

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ng-cam-165147/

 

It probably has varnish buildup around the housing and the block. Keep working at it until it pops out.

 

Probably the gears are just a bit locked/.worn together...sometimes I get a very small sharp screw driver and ever so gently tap it in between the distributor and block.
You shouldn't have to hit it hard or drive it very deep.

 

Had it happen before. Hadn't touched the distributor for over 10 years. Galvanic corrosion got it. Tried the penetrating oil, etc., and all that. Nothing. Ended up breaking the housing when I tried a little tapping with a wrench on the 1" square on it trying to get it to move. WTF? Ended up having to pull the pan and pump and driving it up and out from the bottom with a brass drift. What a PITA.

 

I too once experienced the oil pump shaft galled in the distributor gear. It was so tight that the shaft came out too, minus the retaining rings that were pressed onto the shaft by the factory. Ever since then, I have put a bit of moly cam lube on the ends of the hexagonal oil pump drive shaft.

 

There are two potential problems (and likely both are occurring). While the distributor is not stuck to the block, the o-ring seal gets hard from age. Crud and rust accumulate in the bore in the block above the o-ring, preventing it from coming up. Lube and force are the only two options there. The other problem is the oil pump drive shaft. I guarantee this is wedged in the distributor gear. If this distributor has never been out before, the retainer washer is preventing the shaft from coming up through the hole in the block. You'll need to keep pulling until the washer makes it to the end of the shaft and drops into the oil pan.