Oil pump / distributor gear will not come out from the top

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GoldSwinger71

GoldSwinger71

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I have a 1971 Dart 318, and was having timing issues with the stock distributor. It was not configured to point to cylinder 1 for the rotor position, it was angled at number 2.

Since I planned to move to electronic ignition, I replaced it with a Pertronix Fireball III. I read that they're not always aligned with factory clocking, so I figured I might get closer to stock. No dice, still pointed in the wrong direction!

I decided to re-set the position of the distributor gear, and read up on several folks who suggested multiple methods to lift up the gear and change the tooth position...

...but it won't freaking move! I can get it to lift about 1/8" and it rotates a small amount clockwise but it will not disengage the teeth on the cam. I used a 90 degree pick to lift the gear from underneath. I tried the "use a flathead screwdriver to walk the gear off of the cam" method. I tried a long pair of needlenose pliers.

I would prefer not to have to remove the intake manifold... or drop the oil pan and manipulate the shaft from underneath.

It's just friction fit, correct? There's no keeper that I need to remove? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

-Daniel
 
Did you try to rotate the gear in the reverse direction with a flat screwdriver?

IIRC that is a factory procedure to reset the gear to the direction you want.
 
Dana67Dart said:
Did you try to rotate the gear in the reverse direction with a flat screwdriver?

IIRC that is a factory procedure to reset the gear to the direction you want.
Click to expand...

I was able to do that with mine when I went from the MSD distributor back to the OE style, went easily. You would be best to pull the intake if it comes to that, dropping the pan won't make it any easier and would be more work.
 
Can you try to lift the gear with the 90* pick and rotating it clockwise with a big flat-head screwdriver, kinda jiggling it too?

(I think it's clockwise to screw it up off the cam gear.)
 
Get your self some oil and squirt it on the gear, cover it well where it meets the cam. They have a tendency to stick a little. If you have access to a good size flat head screw driver maybe one that has a wrench type nut on the bottom of the handle if not then use a crescent wrench on the flats of the screw driver to help twist the screw driver you will feel it pop and when it pop's you then will be able to clock it the way you want it. I just went through this a week ago on a 340, I had to change the clocking because of a HEI distributor that was pointing at #7. Good luck and don't give up, have a little patience, and yes it is clockwise.
Bob
 
Just run the darn thing right where it is. There is no reason to make a big sweat out of this. The rotor (as a member has said here) "can point to china" and as long as the no1 wire is mated to that point when the engine is "ready to fire" on no1 it will run just fine
 
I use a big flat head screwdriver. You have to twist it out -loosen it in a rotating motion. I guess a little lube might help things
 
I found a big flat screw driver with a square shaft, use a cresent wrench and turn it and it will come right out.
 
It would much quicker with the manifold off, but you can bend a piece of bar stock "L" shape slip the short end under the oil pump gear and pull up wards. I am sure the pump gear shaft is oil tarnished, pull up, push down, ect. And after a few minutes it's going pull up and out.....
 
A light spritz of brake cleaner may help if its varnished in there. The shaft is probably just stuck in the oil pump drive. I use a screwdriver and a magnet to lift it out while i turn it. Like others have said you can really point it wherever, but i like to set it pointing to #1 so that i always have a ball park of where things "should" be down the road, plus i already made my plug wires, lol. Consistency i guess...
 
I've used a big *** flat screwdriver many times. One time, I used one of those Craftsman double rt angle bent distributor hold down bolt wrenches to hook it under the gear of the quill shaft and pull it up.
 
rustycowll69 said:
I've used a big *** flat screwdriver many times. One time, I used one of those Craftsman double rt angle bent distributor hold down bolt wrenches to hook it under the gear of the quill shaft and pull it up.
Click to expand...

Turn and pull back and forth if necessary to loosen up. If I remember correctly you need to turn Counter clockwise to get it out not clockwise. Good luck .
 
I always use a flat blade screw driver + a magnet...I stick the magnet to the gear, put the screwdriver in the slot and giggle it while pulling up on the magnet...usually comes right out. The few times it doesn't come right out, I just reposition the magnet and try again. Boom, done.
 
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