replacing rotor
 

dumb question... I just replaced plugs, plug wires and distributor on my early 85 n/a. by looking at the new rotor i can see a hole in the shaft that i assume is screws the rotor onto the shaft. problem is the old rotor is situated so that that hole is on the bottom and I can't see what kind of screw is holding it on. is it a small regular slotted screw, a hex, or what???

Did the rotor come with a metal sleeve glued into it?

You can get some one to bump the starter while you are looking at the rotor.

There is an allen head (socket head) screw. Can't remeber the size. 4mm comes to mind.

Yes, there is a metal sleeve inside the shaft of the rotor assembly. The threaded hole goes thru the plastic outer skin and the metal sleave. I suspect you're right about the allen head because I couldn't get a flat blade screw driver on it. By the way my 13 yr old daughter came up with a great idea - hold a mirror under the rotor...

Thanks for your help.

Don't drop the screw. Also make sure it is tight. Some put locktite on it.

Here's a thought: rotate the engine untill the bolt/screw is on top.

I put the distributor back on, turn the engine over, turned it off, removed distributor and the bolt for the rotor was at 2:00 oclock. a little dumb luck. thanks for your help.

Leave the dist cap off. Use a ratchet and socket on the center bolt inside the crank pulley. Turn engine clock wise.

Note: You might need a short extension to reach the large bolt if you have power steering.

Another quick suggestion for anyone who encounters this problem: use a small mirror, which you can place beneath the rotor, to see exactly where you need to put your hex wrench. I've used this method, and it works!

Be super careful when removing that screw. You don't want to strip it...
It's supposed to be 3mm, but they were made a little large (or so I hear). 4mm wouldn't fit on mine, but 1/8" worked like a charm.
If 3mm is loose, don't even try it, it probably has locktite on it. Very tight... flexed my allen key about 50* trying to get it free (I thought the allen key would snap...). Just go up to the 1/8" if it fits.

On mine, after I removed the screw, the rotor was stuck on. I ended up prying it off with a flathead screwdriver, although the rotor itself shattered, the sleeve still had to be pryed off.