Been trying to get the distributor out of my y block for over a week now. From what I remember, there was a not holding a flat piece of metal up against the distributor shaft on top of the block. I've been spraying it with blaster every day and trying to turn it a bit, hitting it up from underneath it with a block of wood but no movement. Hope someone has an idea or maybe I forgot to do something.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

You're doing the right thing, patience is key. You might try a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone.

Pour some melted paraffin wax where the distributor meets the block and twist it.  Clean previous penetrating oils off 1st with brake cleaner and compressed air.
Buy the wax in the canning dept. of your local grocery, TSC etc.

"FREE SAMPLE"

heat if nothing else works.

Using a pipe wrench I was able to turn it a bit but it still won't come out. I used a short 2x4 and tried hammering it from underneath it. Didn't budge. If I use heat, I'm pretty sure it'll make the distributor no good afterwards. That'll be a last option. Don't even know where I would find another distributor for it. But if it becomes useless, that would allow me the ability to use another distributor and carb, since the original setup won't allow me to swap carbs with the original distributor.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

The heat you use is a propane torch, not an oxy acetylene. An old mechanic told me it’s the repeated expansion and contractions the breaks the corrosion loose. Some kind of penetrant, (not too much, most of it is flammable), heat, lube, cool, repeat till it comes loose. Patience is the key.

I’m not familiar enough to know if your engine is one of them, but some Lincoln Y blocks will interchange with the Ford distribution if you change the gear. Somewhere will know for sure.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

I got it. Let it sit for a few minutes after hitting it with blaster. Turned easier with the pipe wrench, then hit it from underneath with a board and hammer. May have made the body of the distributor a little off round. Anybody know if that will make it not function correctly?

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

I can’t say if it’s going to work, but a good distributor shop will know. FWIW, here’s a link to Marty’s post on the distributor for his 368, and the work in process with FBO. Might be something that helps. Read to the end, FBO appears to be making it right.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic148849.aspx?PageIndex=18#bm160785

The FBO site

https://4secondsflat.com/Ford%20Y-Block%20Distributors.htm

I don’t know about any 317/368 interchange, but someone here will.

Good job making progress.





miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Moot point. Looked closer at the distributor and saw a crack in the body. Guess that answers that question.
Next question....
Switching to 12 volt....
I'll need another distributor since this one is broken, does it matter what I get to replace it? Is there another carb I can use with another distributor? I know this distributor and the original 4 bbl carb work together and can't work with others.
And does it matter if the distributor is from a 6 or 12 volt?

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

If you are able to install a later centrifugal and vacuum distributor any early small base carburetor from Rochester or Carter will work. Most are in the same cubic inch and compression ratio as the 54 Lincoln. They are getting expensive and your air cleaner will need an adapter to work. A carb adapter on your manifold and a more modern carb like Holley and Edelbrock are popular but many Y-block guys are using a Summit either 500 or 600 cfm. Your original was in the 350-375cfm range. I do not know if the 57-up distributor will work in your 54. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.