best tool for dist adjustment bolt?

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Sep 20, 2004 | 12:21 PM

Square

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 2,940

Likes: 5

From: Chesapeake VA

best tool for dist adjustment bolt?

Hi Guys,

I searched for this and couldn't find anything. I want to check my timing, and if I need to adjust it, I want to know if I need a special wrench to get to the distributor hold down bolt. I looked at it, and it looks like it is under the distributor cap. What is the best tool/technique for this?

Thanks!

Sep 20, 2004 | 12:32 PM

95AquaC4

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 6,294

Likes: 0

From: Amateur driver on open course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Square

You should be able to grab a distributor wrench at Sears pretty inexpensively. They are special wrenches for this. Perhaps some simple swivel sockets may get the job done, but I've always had the proper wrenches.

Sep 20, 2004 | 12:47 PM

85blkrose

Racer

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 495

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From: berwick pennsylvania

i picked one up at the local auto store. autozone,pep boys,parts
america. any of these place should have one

Sep 20, 2004 | 12:50 PM

Red Tornado

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2002

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From: OBAMA IS HITLER

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85blkrose

i picked one up at the local auto store. autozone,pep boys,parts
america. any of these place should have one

I got mine at Advance Auto, I think it was about $5. The Sears version would be better quality though.

Sep 20, 2004 | 12:51 PM

Square

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 2,940

Likes: 5

From: Chesapeake VA

Thanks guys!

What size do I need to get?

Sep 20, 2004 | 01:02 PM

65Z01

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

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From: SE NY

Cruise-In II Veteran

The one from Sears comes with two sizes, don't recall which one fits my SBD dist.

Sep 20, 2004 | 01:02 PM

Red Tornado

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 22,209

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From: OBAMA IS HITLER

just tell them you want a dist. wrench for small block chevys....they have 2 ends, I believe we would use the 9/16" end.

Sep 20, 2004 | 01:24 PM

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 21,094

Likes: 282

From: Phila., PA burbs

A little pricey, but SnapOn makes a fantastic dist. wrench

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Sep 20, 2004 | 01:48 PM

bogus

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Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 40,156

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From: San Pedro CA

you don't want the cheapy ones... they have this funky socket thing in the middle, and what happens is that is falls apart at the least opportune moments!

Get the sears one, and get the bigger one from sears. I think it's 9/16th, I can measure if you like, cause I have one for bastet44s 87 coupe!

Sep 20, 2004 | 03:01 PM

#10

Square

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 2,940

Likes: 5

From: Chesapeake VA

Thanks guys!

I will get the Sears tool. Most of you guys are recalling 9/16ths as the correct size. I will see if I can get a 9/16ths socket or box wrench on the bolt to confirm before I buy.

Thanks again!

Sep 20, 2004 | 05:08 PM

#11

Vetterin

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 1,879

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From: Lockport, IL Let's get em ALL home soon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradvette

just tell them you want a dist. wrench for small block chevys....they have 2 ends, I believe we would use the 9/16" end.

Yep, that will do it.

Sep 21, 2004 | 10:32 AM

#12

MrRenoman

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,384

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From: Reno/Sparks Nevada

Even the inexpensive tool works ok. As far as technique goes; I remove the fastener that's holding the solenoid between the RH valve cover and the distributor. This allows the wrench to rotate when loosening the distributor bolt. You don't want to damage this solenoid especially since the vacuumn lines are connected on the end the wrench wants to push against. The solenoid fittings to the hose are plastic and can break easily. I'm not sure about the later years but this is what I've found on the early L98s.

Art