Pickup Coil Removal and Dizzy Body cleaning

[The PIG Smith]

The distributor in my J20 has a bad wiring harness.
I went to NAPA and bought a new pick coil assembly that comes with the new wiring harness.

I am looking for tips, tricks and secret methods to get my old unit off, so I can install the new unit.
I know, I know, I need to get an Official Service Manual, as so not to ask these types of questions.

Do I need to pull the center star part (I do not know its name) off the shaft with a puller?
Is there a hidden clip that when poped off, the whole thing with fall apart?

Second Question: How would I clean the body of my distributor?
It is heavy oxidized.
I started with a green scratch pad, but there is no way I can get into all the small places.
I have a small hand held 9 ounce sand blaster I received for Christmas.
It looks as if it would be great for this size of project.
BUT...I do not want sand down inside the dizzy to cause bearing or shaft failure.
Can a person tape off the all the openings, being ultra careful and clean the housing without the sand being a later issue?

If somehow I get this distributor body clean, would I need to paint it with primer or sealer before I paint it with hi-temp engine enamel?

[Chevelleguy]

For $50 at AutoZone, you can get a distributor with a new pickup coil and a sand blasted body then the only work you have to do is change it. If the shaft is rusty, the chance of breaking the reluctor (center star part)is high as it is pressed on the shaft.

[War Wagon]

Bryan,

You pull the rotor off. Then pull the star off, I used a battery terminal puller but two screw drivers will do to pry it off. Make sure and catch the key for the star. Take the vacuum advance off, two screws and an e-clip (easy to loose). Then there is a ring clip on the main shaft that holds the pick up on. Remove the screws that holds the wiring harness in place and thats it. Put it back together in reverse order. As for cleaning the distrbutor you are on your own. LOL

Jim

[Tigger4X]

Why go through all that hassle to more than likely end up having more problems than you started out with. Just return the new pick-up coil you bought and pony up the $50 for the entirely brand new distributor. IMHO you will be much better off and happier to boot!!

[War Wagon]

I though about a new distributor but worried about the gear mesh horror stories I have heard about. I know that the gear mesh is fine with what I got and it only took about 15 minutes to change out.

Jim

[ March 29, 2006, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: War Wagon ]

[The PIG Smith]

Okay, I new dizzy maybe the easiest path.
I have taken off and put away the ordinal gear.
So, if I would go to the trouble of getting a new dizzy, I will install my ordinal gear

Would you trust a Autozone distributor?

In Fort Wayne, we have Autozone, Advance Auto and NAPA.
I feel NAPA has the highest quality when compared to the other two, but also cost the most.
I know, you only get for what you paid for.

Autozone is the closest to me and I go there for nickel and dime stuff.

[The PIG Smith]

Here is a BUMP back to the top!