MG Midget Forum

Hi all

I wanted to pull the distributor out of the engine yesterday afternoon. I thought it would be simply mark it, take the two bolts out, and pull it out. It would not pull out. Then I tried twisting gently and pulling. This morning I did a search to see how to pull it, thinking maybe there was some trick that I wasn't aware of. Everything I saw said to do what I did. I did not want to take a screwdriver and pry it or try anything else until I had checked with you all. Is there something I'm missing?
Thanks in advance, Jim

If you can twist it, it will pull out. I usually just undo the clamp, but either way will do.


Peter C

Once you have removed it...do not turn over the engine...don't move the car in gear...anything like that !!! There is an offset tab (help me guys with the 'proper term') and the distributor will only re-seat one way against the sprocket (what's it called) that engages the cam-in-shafter There is nothing 'less fun' in my world than re-aligning the distributor after...let's say...'remembering to do a compression check with the distributor on the work bench! Wrong !!! ed

I did manage to pull the distributor out yesterday afternoon. It was a little snug, but I managed to get both hands in that tight space and pull it out. I won't move or try to start the vehicle, thanks for that heads up. But, I was pretty sure that might have been a bad idea.
Now to pull the speedometer, while the distributor is off being fixed, and try to get it back into good running order. It is running about 10 miles slower than it should be. I think this is the same problem Y. Lee had a while back. I intend to reference his thread to help me figure that one out.
Thanks for the help, Jim

This concern is not warranted. The distributor drive gear, held in the block by the drive gear retainer, has an offset slot. The distributor drive dog, which is the fitting on the bottom of the distributor shaft, has a matching offset key that will only enter the offset slot in the drive gear one way. When re-installing a distributor, you simply insert the distributor into the retainer, and it will drop nearly all the way in. Then you just turn the rotor and its shaft until you feel the offset key drop into the offset slot, and then the distributor will drop the last eighth inch or so and the distributor will be properly indexed.

Contrary to popular (and mistaken...) belief, it is not possible to install the distributor 180 degrees off. Repeat: it is not possible to install the distributor 180 degrees off. The distributor drive dog will only enter the distributor drive gear one way. As long as you have marked the position of the distributor hold-down clamp relative to the block, and have not loosened the clamp nor disturbed the points, you can re-install the distributor without disturbing the ignition timing.

Repeat yet again. It is not possible to install the distributor 180 degrees off. This statement is often confused with the possibility of installing the distributor drive gear in an incorrect orientation in the block. But this is only possible if you remove the distributor drive gear retainer and the single slotted screw that holds the retainer in place, and also remove and re-position the distributor drive gear in the block. But if you haven't done so, then you can re-install the distributor with confidence that you have not affected ignition timing...

Dick

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Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

I think Jim is wanting to reinstall the distributor and not have to reset the timing.

It seems to me that the distributor CAN be installed 180 degrees out, especially if it is worn out. There is enough slop to allow the dog to sit in there backwards.

That's pretty far fetched and your timing would be all over he place. I mark distributor to clamp, loosen clamp, sometimes loosen one clamp bolt to allow clamp to open, twist side yo side pulling up. Installation is reverse. Tighten the clamp then the clamp retaining bolt.

Trevor, it is NOT possible to install the distributor 180 degrees out, no matter how worn it may be. Period. You can assemble the distributor 180 out or install the drive gear 180-out, install the plug wires 180-out, but you cannot put an undisturbed distributor into an undisturbed engine 180-out!!!

Anyone who says its possible to drop a distributor into an engine 180-out is just repeating and propagating false information they read here. Please refrain. its not helping anyone to pass on information that isn't proven true. If more folks on this board only posted about things they have first-hand experience with and didn't simply repeat posts they read last month or last year, the forum would be more helpful in solving folks' problems faster without having to sort through so many misleading posts.

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jeff@advanceddistributors.com

Jeff, I never say never ...

I just went and dug out the sloppiest and most beat up distributor out of my parts pile. I was able to install it both ways. The correct way was a more positive fit, but with the rotor and shaft turned 180 degrees I was still able to get it to engage the drive and push the distributor in about 75% of the way into the lock clamp.

I'm not trying to spread misinformation (and I have no problem with people calling me out) but if you read my post I never said I it had happened to me ... that I clearly remember.

On close inspection the tabs on the drive dog look like they have been "restraightened". I agree it would be very uncommon to find may distributors and drive gears worn enough to allow this to happen, but I believe it has happened to a few people in the past and the internet community has made it seem like a common occurrence.

When I replaced stuck oil pressure valve a few months ago, I undid the two bolts instead of loosening the clamp.Re-setting timing was easier that way.

There's no way you can fully install a distributor 180-out unless the drive dog teeth are so physically damaged that one would have to know its a problem. Partially installed doesn't count, as the clamp will pull right off the distributor when you tighten the bolts. I should also never say never, but this one is a no-brainer if you've ever tried it. It doesn't work in any way shape or form. If the drive dog and drive gear are that far worn, the car isn't going to go far under its own power if you force it to fit, and it would take brute force and absolutely no attempt to assemble a safe car for those in it or around it.

Just because you can doesn't always mean you should.

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jeff@advanceddistributors.com

I'm not saying you should do it. But I can imagine a scenario where a guy buys an old midget and sets out to get it running. He pulls the distributor to replace the points and such. If the distributor is abused and worn out, it can be put in 180 degrees out (I tested that theory this morning). Will it stay seated that way for very long? I doubt it, but I can see where a guy could think it is all back together correctly because it engaged and clamped.

When trouble shooting, you always should methodically approach the problem starting with the most plausible solution. I would not immediately assume someone installed the distributor 180 degrees out just because it wouldn't fire off, but when all other probable possibilities are eliminated, you sometimes have to look for the unusual.

Jim marked his distributor so that he can set it back in place and start the car back without having to retime it. However, I think he should probably reset it with a timing light and maybe check how much total advance his is getting with his current distributor.

If your distributor is so sloppy that you can put it in 180 degrees out, you have much greater problems on your hands, and I cannot see how that car could ever have ran. I have never found this possible, never seen it done. It is a non issue. If you are concerned about resetting the timing of your car, then you should not mess with the distributor at all, as that is so easy to do, you can do it with the engine not turning over (static timing), and get really really close. Make sure you use a Condenser. Too high a value will burn the points on the fixed end, too little capacitance will burn the moving aside of the points. Really be careful about what you read on this forum. There is really superb excellent advice, along with a lot of mental masturbation/ inexperienced intellectualization.

Well, I guess I'm guilty. Maybe this winter when I'm bored I'll put points and condenser in that distributor (the one that can be installed either way) and see how the car runs.

For the record: I agree that installing the drive dog backward into the distributor gear is a rare and and unlikely event, but I just wanted to mention that it is not impossible. Maybe I'm the only guy that has such a worn out distributor and the only guy to try to install it both ways.

I install an average of 5 distributors a day into a cut-off factory drive gear that's mounted in my distributor tester. In all the years I've repaired distributors, I have NEVER been able to install one 180-out. I'm shooting about 0/12,000. Stop propagating the myth.

Yes you CAN put a square peg into a round hole, but you have to use a big hammer.

Dumb and Dumber quote:
Lloyd Christmas: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me... ending up together?
Mary Swanson: Well, Lloyd, that's difficult to say. I mean, we don't really...
Lloyd Christmas: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?
Mary Swanson: Not good.
Lloyd Christmas: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?
Mary Swanson: I'd say more like one out of a million.
[pause]
Lloyd Christmas: So you're telling me there's a chance... YEAH!

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jeff@advanceddistributors.com