914-1 1.7L Distributor removal

[Kevin Lewis]

I need to change out the fuel injection trigger points, is it necessary to remove the distributor from the engine?
If so, does the engine need to be at TDC on #1? Should the distributor seal be replaced at the time of re-installation?
Help please.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Yes, you need to remove the distributor.

It should only go in one way, so you don't have to be on TDC #1. You can just make a note (scribe a line, take a pic, make a sketch, whatever) of where the rotor was pointing, and then put the distributor back in that way when you're done. Unless you're really precise with your measurements, though, you'll want to re-check the ignition timing after you're done.

Replacing the O-ring is probably not the worst idea in the world. They are pretty cheap, and as long as you're taking it apart anyway... That said, I haven't always replaced it when R&Ring the distributor.

--DD

[roadtrp204]

A couple of more things to add, if you just remove the 13mm nut on the hold down clamp you can remove the distributor with the clamp still on. As long as you don't loosen the long 10mm timing adjustment nut, the timing should remain extremely close to what it was when you removed the distributor. The distributor only fits on way, the drive tang on the bottom is offset, just rotate the rotor until the distributor drops all the way down when reinstalling it. Don't forget to put several drops of oil on the felt inside the shaft under the rotor, this help to keep the advance from binding and is probably one of the most overlooked periodic maintance items. If you change the distributor O-ring, it will be difficult to reinstall the distributor, this is normal, it is a tight fit with a new O-ring. Just lube it up and rotate the distributor body back and forth as you push down.

[Potter]

I just cleaned the FI points on my 73 2.0 and was able to remove them without removing the whole distributor. Of course the position I had to put myself in made me look like a guy who 5 minutes earlier walked into prison and said, "what the hell are you lookin' at" to six guys with more tattoo than skin...........and during the removal process used language that peeled the paint off my house.