I've tried turning my distributor to adjust the timing but it wouldn't budge?

Question

Yes I loosened the correct bolt to get it to turn but it just wouldn't budge. Does anyone have any suggestions how I could loosen my distributor to get it to turn? Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I would take it to a mechanic. If you force it, one of 2 things could happen. One, you could damage or break something, making the car undrivable. Two, it could break free suddenly, and spin so far you will take forever to get it back where it belongs if you don't have an accurate reference mark in place. Are you sure you actually have to adjust timing? Silly question, but I assume you have used a timing light to check against the factory specs? In 42 years, I never adjusted timing on any car, except one i replaced a broken timing belt on, and new cars don't have adjustable timing any more, anyway.

Billy TK, where in the original question does it say there were old-technology points and a condensor replaced? Not all cars have them. My car doesn't have points or a condenser, it doesn't have a distributor. My old cars did, like my 1958, 1973, and 1974 cars, but my 1995 has an Electronic Distributorless Ignition System. My 1986 had a distributor, but, being electronic, did not have user replaceable points, and there was no condensor. If you are going to try to criticize my knowledge, I suggest you bone up on your English comprehension skills.

Answer 2

What kind of car? Spray some penetrating oil around the base and let it sit for an hour or so. If you can get a prybar or hammer to the METAL part of the dist you can try to GENTLY pry it or TAP it to see if it will budge. Once it budges the battle is won.

99% of cars don't need the timing set. What kind of problem do you have?

denisee b bad is the wife

Answer 3

These other answers are ok,,,Use wd-40 to loosen,,lightly pry with screwdriver,,,use something soft to hit on to loosen,,,BUT Mark the Present location of distributor with a marker or greese pencil,,WHEN IT POPS LOOSE IT MAY TURN ALOT,,SO MARKING PRESENT LOCATION IS A GOOD MOVE UNLESS YOU CAN REMEMBER EXACT LOCATION OF WHERE IT WAS... Timing is a touchy thing on cars it doesn't take much movement to change timing alot

Answer 4

its stuck,evidently its been a while since it was loosened,try getting something in under it with the bolt fairly loose on it and see if you can jar it upwards some,it will eventually give,but some of them can be stubborn to get to move,i usually loosen the bolt a lot and use a block of wood or something soft,and get in under it and lightly hit upwards on it,not to hard it don't take much to loosen it,too hard and it might break,good luck with it.

Answer 5

Take a good screw driver and a hammer and tap the base of it , Its just stuck from all the years,hope this helps,

Answer 6

epitt IS right , and fred c how do you replace points and condenser and NOT have to adjust the timing, assuming you know what points and a condenser are ?

Answer 7

What car and engine do you have. There are some that you can NOT adjust at all. More info would be nice.

Answer 8

Dodgeman and JT B Fordman know what they're talking about. Follow their advice

Answer 9

Gently tap it with a hammer either rubber or plastic

Answer 10

and why do you think it needs it if you have not turn it... then it should be set right now check something else....rubber hammer