The 'E' Type Forum

Set about replacing my original distributor with a 123-ignition one today, and hit a snag - I cannot get the old one off no matter what I try! I have loosened the clamp, and to be sure undone the bolt that holds the clamp to the engine - the clamp rotates around the base of the distributor so I know it isn't that.

It is stuck fast - won't rotate, won't pull. I have tried hitting, prying, twisting and pulling and have achieved nothing other than cracking the vacuum when the pry bar slipped....

Any tips? Am I missing something?

Sounds like it's seized in the block....get plenty of penetrating oil in there.....you previously said your fitting a 123 ....so needs must and do whats needed to twist the dizzy out....but....plenty of oil for a good few days first...Steve

Thanks. Have soaked in in plusgas and will keep going...

Not uncommon for coolant to leak from the thermostat houseing and over the dizzy

Have you tried with a hot engine block?
Might be enough to shift it?

I've tried heat. Not sure if it will run now as I've cracked/damaged the vacuum advance. Will keep going with the penetrating oil for a few days and see if it frees...

You could try a torch/blow lamp/heat gun to heat the houseing area below the dizzy

With a fire extinguisher to hand, please!

As there are lots of unresolved threads on this topic I thought I'd update. It took 1.5 weeks, but its out!

I followed the advice and heat cycled with a heat gun (not a torch) and doused in plusgas daily for a week. After a week, I could get a small amount of rotational movement with a large pry bar. I then continued with heat, small rotational movements, and plusgas for a few more days, then eventually got it out when it was moving more freely - a bit pair of channel locks on the top to rotate back and forwards, with a big pry bar applying upward pressure under the flange.

The old dizzy is toast, but I have a 123 to install so I'm not too upset!

Great....if it was easy it wouldn't be enjoyable thanks for the update...Steve

hope you took good care of the block.....

I dare you to send it to the Distributor Doctor for overhaul
Would love to see the look on his face
Geoff

DWW wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 22, 2026 5:47 pm

hope you took good care of the block.....

Yes - I was careful to use the old clamp to protect the block... All looks fine.

123 installed today and running well. Thanks for all the tips!

Vacuum pipe is a bit too short to reach the 123 - any alternatives to reach it...?

Just extend it with a piece of rubber thin hose

Will see what I have laying around.