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Hey all,
first post on the forum.... I have a question and it might be a common issue with the 330 but this is my first dealing with one so I'm treading lightly. I just rescued a 67 cutlass supreme with a 330 from a death sentence. The issue I'm having is after loosening the clamp bolt the distributor seems stuck(wont turn by hand). Is this a common issue on the 330? Any tricks to these guys?
Yes, it's common. Spray around the base with penetrating oil and muscle the distributor to get it to turn. Then you will need to muscle it out of the hole because there is a lot of varnish build up and a petrified Oring.
Either way try rotating the engine by hand, both directions and have someone try pulling on the distributor as can't remember which Olds is designed to push put or suck into the block during cranking rotation as some GM's are one way the others are opposite
Also a little pertaining oil might help if sludged up.
Patience, penetrating oil(not WD,40) and finesse. Some force will be necessary but don't apply to force to the large area that the cap covers it will break, only apply force to the neck area below it. It's a common problem on any old engine/distributor.
After penetrating oil, if you have a big enough open-end or crowsfoot wrench and can get it back there, put it on the square part of the distributor body and tap it back and forth. Sometimes that works, but I've admittedly only gotten it to work on a Toronado or an engine that's out of the car.
This is the type oil filter wrench I own/use. It can be used for many situations. You could try to muscle out the distributor by turning it with this type oil wrench. You can wrap a couple wet cotton cloth shop towels around the distributor, then use the oil wrench to squeeze and rotate the distributor. Just another possible method of madness.
Yes, it's common. Spray around the base with penetrating oil and muscle the distributor to get it to turn. Then you will need to muscle it out of the hole because there is a lot of varnish build up and a petrified Oring.
got it soaking as we speak...even tried the old ford method of running to temp then hit the base with co2.... no luck yet
Thank you all for the replies, lot of ideas I havent thought of. I'll let her soak a few days and see if she nudges. Such a pain as the timing is just a hair advanced causing slow starts at times.
Either way try rotating the engine by hand, both directions and have someone try pulling on the distributor as can't remember which Olds is designed to push put or suck into the block during cranking rotation as some GM's are one way the others are opposite
Also a little pertaining oil might help if sludged up.
Good luck
both, its locked down pretty good. I've had to pry a few distributors out but this one is tight. I'll try rotating the motor method tho....cant hurt...
If you need to set the timing immediately you can adjust it some within reason by adjusting the dwell. Since it's sludge holding it carb cleaner may work better than penetrating oil.
There are typically three things holding an Olds distributor in place.
The aluminum body and iron block cause galvanic corrosion, which can really prevent it from moving.
The O-ring on the distributor hardens with age and has a difficult time getting past this corrosion and any baked-on deposits in the hole.
The oil pump drive shaft will be stuck in the distributor gear. As you pull it out, the pressed-on retainer will need to be dragged down the length of the shaft until it drops into the oil pan. This happens EVERY SINGLE TIME.
