EA81 disassembly with grandson, distributor not coming out.

[myhilo]

So my 11yr old grandson is visiting, we are taking a engine apart for fun.  He is learning how to use wrenches and socket and we are having a great time.  However, this old chicago rusty engine now has me at a standtill, I don't want to bore him so I think he as seen enough of removing stuck fasteners and so the rest of the disassembly need to go smoothly.

I can't seem to remove the distributor, I've soaked the joints, and hammered it, but it's not coming out. 

Am I doing something wrong? 

The ear on the distributor for the bolt is broken off, the aluminum distributor is also now broken off from my pounding and I the outer hollow shaft and the rotating spring advance assembly are all that's left.  No force seems to make the outer portion move.  

[DaveT]

No hammering on aluminum cast parts.  Oil pump, distributor, big no, or expect it to break.

#1 thing I have found to help disassemble these engines without breaking bolts, etc. - Heat the entire thing to 160-190 degrees F.   Easiest to do if it is still running, but a space heater and a heat gun will do it also.  About 2KW of heaters did it for me.

#2 thing, Kano Aerokroil or similar penetrant.

#3 patience!  Carefully turn bolts, etc.  feeling if the bolt is turning, or twisting off.  After years of experience, I can usually tell.  Once a bolt starts to move, if it starts to get stiffer again, stop, turn the other way, then go back to loosening, until it sticks.  Repeat many times.

 

[el_freddo]

I hope you’ve got a replacement distributor ready to go. I believe they’re also annoy so easy part to find these days. 

Cheers 

Bennie