Missed Flat Rate by a mile.........

[Rick Parker]

Recently I saw some serious rust on the magnetic assembly inside my MSD Distributor that had been caused by a blown radiator hose several months ago. I neglected to address any moisture in the distributor at the time due to the tempratures. I decided today that I would pull the distributor and repalce the magnetic picup assembly. The friggin hold down bolt for the distributor is nearly immpossible to access with the dual coolant outlets on the front of the Weber Manifold. What I thought was going to be a 2 hour job took 6 after finally deciding to drain the coolant system and remove the impeeding hose, and a trip to the machine shop. Not a fun job and no real benefit, other than a fresh magnetic pickup and cleaner insides of the distributor.

[Tom Howland]

It seems that situation would make it very difficult to change the timing. Did the visit to the machine shop remedy that?

[Rick Parker]

I have previously thinned the hex head bolt to aid this BUT with the engine hot and unable to extract the full length (3/4") because the coolant hose for the manifold is immediately above it. As it is a thinned down distributor wrench is required for access, complete removal requires the hose to be removed from the neck. Any other 289/302 guys find a better solution? I' m out of ideas on this one.

[Snakebit]

Rick, I had the same problem. Go to a good hardware store (Ace Hardware carries a huge selection of stainless bolts) and get a 1" stainless button head bolt and a stainless lock washer. You may have to remove the hose clamp, but it will squeeze pass the coolant hose. Tighten the bolt with a T handle, ball end, allen wrench. I use a billet steel distributor hold down bracket which is thicker than normal, works like a charm.