Thread: De distributor removal...

Seems like my distributor is stuck, I searched and I have the manual. I removed the 2 bolts, and can't slide it out. Do I have to put it on tdc? Am I supposed to remove anything else? Dunno if it matters but i losened the cap bolts thats right next to the dizzy on the head.
I'm trying to remove it to replace the o ring cuz it's leaking some oil on bottom. I'm not a newb or anything, but this thing seems stuck pretty good. I was thinkin of using a mallet and tappin it a bit...


Thanks in advance...

Usually taking off the (2) 12mm bolts on the cam cap will allow it to come free. I would just try and wiggle it out.

can you turn it side to side?

I can spin it, I jus cant pull out. (Sounds kinda weird...lol). Ill try again tomorrow, but thanks for the reply guys..

it probably has like sludge around it

Yea, just get a tight grip on it and wiggle it up and down vigorously. Or take a flat head screwdriver and a shop cloth around the tip. Slide it between and pry gently.

Bop it a few times with a rubber mallet on the housing. That can break up any caked oil that is making the end of the distributor stick in the end of the cam or around the housing.

You can also get a small flathead in there and prise it on either side a tiny bit at a time... like 1-2mm not more. Then do the bottom and the top and it should give from some combination. After you get it a little loose you can just wiggle it out.

and in anticipation of another question; Look at the distributor when it comes out. Note the angle the end of the distributor is at. Then look at the end of the exhaust cam inside the housing. Note the angle and that the slot is slightly offset. The distributor only goes in one way and when you put it back it will clunk into place and sit up perfectly flush with the end of the head.

Spray lots of WD-40 where it contacts the valve cover/head area and let it sit, then do what Benito said

Thanks guys, yes, I was able to get it out. I pulled pretty vigorously and finally popped out. Cam cap doesn't affect it, dizzy jus held in by 2 bolts. But yea, it's pretty stuck. This thing is so old I didn't wanna use brute force and break it...lol. I put it back as u said and I marked it before I removed it. I replaced the o ring and now I gotta replace the cap gasket. Ill probably get the cap gasket ATT junk yard and off I go! Thanks everyone!

Pulling the cam cap would have got it loose. just get new oem cap and rotor. New from Greg V... so easy and cheap.

If you do go junkyard diving look for a cap that has a mitsubishi symbol because that's who made them oem. Also if it says "made in japan" that's good. If it says "made in italy" don't bother.

but having a spare distributor is a really good idea. look for an oem one. the rebuilt ones often have a sticker from the shop that rebuilt it. Then its a gamble "oem is better" vs. "this oem distributor could be 22 years old." Pop the cap and look at the rotor in the yard. Again.. is it oem, is it made in Japan? throw out anything made in italy.

If you find 2-3 distributors from G20s, NX200s, and B13 SE-Rs feel free to make the best combo.