Distributor Nut Frozen!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
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
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
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
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 109
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
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
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
Likes: 8
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
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
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!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
[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
Likes: 8
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!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
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
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
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
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
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
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
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
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 109
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
