Distributor Nut Frozen!!!
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Instructor
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Distributor Nut Frozen!!!
I checked the timing on my '81 and it is at 0 degrees; not the 6 degrees specified on the hood and not the 12 degrees I want to take it to. Problem: The hold down bolt is frozen and I know it's an aluminum head. I've sprayed the bolt head area with WD-40, but no success. I don't want to round the bolt or break the head off, but what can I do to free the bolt? I've had the car for 26 years and have never touched this bolt.
Jon
Jon
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Enid Oklahoma
I checked the timing on my '81 and it is at 0 degrees; not the 6 degrees specified on the hood and not the 12 degrees I want to take it to. Problem: The hold down bolt is frozen and I know it's an aluminum head. I've sprayed the bolt head area with WD-40, but no success. I don't want to round the bolt or break the head off, but what can I do to free the bolt? I've had the car for 26 years and have never touched this bolt.
Jon
Jon
Last edited by 81pilot; Sep 16, 2010 at 12:41 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
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How do you know it's an aluminum head ?? If you have not touched it ?? let alone in 26 years.
#1 put a magnet on it
#2 do not use wd40 use something more along this line
http://pbblaster.net/
after spraying with PB wait a day then take a long punch or rod and jar/smack the head of the bolt
,spray again wait another day then try using a 6 point socket if you have one,otherwise a good quality /tight fitting wrench will help.I am sure you will have a hard time getting anything other then a box or open end wrench in that spot.[B]26 YEARS[B] you are just asking for trouble now
#3 sounds like a neglected car if it's not been touched/fondled recently
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How do you know it's an aluminum head ?? If you have not touched it ?? let alone in 26 years.
#1 put a magnet on it
#2 do not use wd40 use something more along this line
http://pbblaster.net/
after spraying with PB wait a day then take a long punch or rod and jar/smack the head of the bolt
,spray again wait another day then try using a 6 point socket if you have one,otherwise a good quality /tight fitting wrench will help.I am sure you will have a hard time getting anything other then a box or open end wrench in that spot.[B]26 YEARS[B] you are just asking for trouble now
#3 sounds like a neglected car if it's not been touched/fondled recently
Thanks for the suggestion of PB Blaster! I'll try your recommendation.
Jon
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
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From: Enid Oklahoma
All '81's had aluminum intake manifolds. this is far from a "neglected" car - It's won 1st place over and over. I've had it for 26 (no 28) pampered years. I never checked the timing on the car - when I read about increasing the curve to 12 degrees, i decided to try that.
Thanks for the suggestion of PB Blaster! I'll try your recommendation.
Jon
Thanks for the suggestion of PB Blaster! I'll try your recommendation.
Jon
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Get some Kroil or some Sheafers penetraing oil(both of which are similar to PBblaster). And let it soak for a day or so, yes the intake is aluminum, that is why when you get it off put some anti seaze on it. The dissimilar metals cause a dialectric response that causes them to seize together. If you don't have a distributor bolt wrench, they are handy. They have the right sized head and are bent so they will go down onto the bolt and give you some leverage.Worse case scenario, it breaks, then you would need to pull the intake and tap it out, not too big of a job really all things considered. Good Luck!
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[QUOTE=paul 74;1575342955]The tool is not expensive. It might save you a lot of grief.
I do have the tool and tried a longer socket on the other end (as opposed to the Ford sized mating piece) I bought the PB Blaster and it is soaking as I type. I'll give it aday or so to soak in. Thanks!
Jon
I do have the tool and tried a longer socket on the other end (as opposed to the Ford sized mating piece) I bought the PB Blaster and it is soaking as I type. I'll give it aday or so to soak in. Thanks!
Jon
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
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From: Enid Oklahoma
[QUOTE=Jon S;1575343255]
OK new rule, anyone with an issue has to post results!! Seriously. let us know how it goes good Luck! 
Seriously. let us know how it goes good Luck!
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From: Southbound
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Based on a recent experience loosening a stubborn 5/16" bolt, heat the bolt first and apply more PB while it's still hot. (Not red-hot, don't want to damage the aluminum manifold). I used a mini-propane torch, placed the flame on the bolt for approx. 5 seconds, then PB Blaster sprayed immediately on the threads. Let it sit overnight again, then see if it breaks free.
Race Director
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From: Dayton, Ohio
[QUOTE=Jon S;1575343974]
Did you disconnect the dist lead to set the timing ? It might not be at TDC.
EDIT- never mind I checked your previous thread and see you already know about the 4 wire connector.
EDIT- never mind I checked your previous thread and see you already know about the 4 wire connector.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Sep 16, 2010 at 06:59 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Crossville TN
If you haven't got the bolt loose yet, get a brass rod and a BF hammer. Give that bolt a really good 'shot' to the top of the head. That may break the corrosion 'joint' between the aluminum manifold and the steel bolt.
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Tried all of the ideas including the freeze stuff - nothing works! Bolt starting to get rounded edges, so I quit for now. Still open to ideas. Frustrating!!!
Race Director
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Keep spraying with PB and just wait it out if time is not a factor. I have a small impact that I can turn down to very low torque and just it hammer, its never failed in this situation.
You can do the same thing by tapping with a light hammer and punch. Vibration will work the PB into the threads and it will eventually come loose. Patience
You can do the same thing by tapping with a light hammer and punch. Vibration will work the PB into the threads and it will eventually come loose. Patience
Burning Brakes
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quote from jon
(I checked the timing on my '81 and it is at 0 degrees; not the 6 degrees specified on the hood and not the 12 degrees)
quote #2 from jon
(With Electronic Ignition there is no need to re-time. Not like the days of points/dwell and condensers.)
From jons first post
( Problem: The hold down bolt is frozen and I know it's an aluminum head. )
My response to him was to check the bolt to see if the head was in fact aluminum,turns out the intake is aluminum not the (head of the bolt)
will not return to this post anymore
(I checked the timing on my '81 and it is at 0 degrees; not the 6 degrees specified on the hood and not the 12 degrees)
quote #2 from jon
(With Electronic Ignition there is no need to re-time. Not like the days of points/dwell and condensers.)
From jons first post
( Problem: The hold down bolt is frozen and I know it's an aluminum head. )
My response to him was to check the bolt to see if the head was in fact aluminum,turns out the intake is aluminum not the (head of the bolt)
will not return to this post anymore
