Mercruiser 260 Distributor Removal...

[Boomshaw]

I have a 1979 MCM 260 and my hold down ears on the distributor cap have apparently frozen up. I can not get either screw out of the top of them and damaged the screws while trying. I used penetrating oil, vice grip,etc but to no avail. I think I could just drill them out and put some new ones on but the best way to do that would be with the distributor out. I am not an idiot but I am far from a experienced mechanic so pulling the distributor makes me nervous since there is only about 8" of room above it to lift it out. Is this more than enough? I don't want to get it part way out and have to put it back in there without fixing the issue. I have the Brunswick manual but nothing tells me whether I have enough room to lift the distributor out. I am honestly thinking on just putting a new distributor in since I believe this is the original. Any help?!

 

[muc]

Not sure if 8' is enough, it will be close.
Why don't you pull the cotter pin that holds the ears to the body? Looks easy in your second picture.

 

[Boomshaw]

Yeah, those cotter pins are bound up also. Tried knocking them out and no go. They will pivot properly, but the pin will need to be drilled out.

 

[Scott Danforth]

clamp a small vice grip on the screw

use a small butane torch, heat up the aluminum (to expand it)

then use the small vice grip to turn the screw out.

8" may be enough room to remove a distributor without the cap. overall its about 13" long, however you can angle it in.

 

[kenny nunez]

Do what Scott suggested and to make it a little easier try removing the bracket that the harness is and cannon plug are mounted on. Disconnect or turn off the battery. I think the thread is 8/32, or 10/32. Mallory did not use metric threads that I can recall. Maybe if you start to move the cap mounts up and down the cutter pins will either let go or shear off, then you will be able to pull the remaining pieces off the distributor body with some diagonal cutting piers. The local hardware stores will have stainless screws to replace the rusted ones.

 

[Boomshaw]

Thank you. I will give that a go.