Distributor body won't rotate

[suttonwt]

Hello all, I have an early A4 with a Prestolite distributor in my 1967 Cal28. I adjusted the points last weekend per the manual and now I need to time the engine. The trouble that I’m having is that although I’ve loosened off the distributor retaining bracket bolt, the distributor will not rotate (much). It will only rotate 1-2 degrees then stops as if it hits something solid. It is difficult to see in and around that distributor area, but hidden way back under a water hose (running between the distributor and the block) I can see the head of a horizontally positioned screw but I can’t see what it’s function is; it might actually be part of something on the shaft at the base of the distributor. Any ideas as to the likely cause of the distributor’s body unwillingness to rotate?

Thanks,
Bill

[rigspelt]

There is a protrusion from the distributor that can bump into the alternator belt. Sounds like you perhaps need to get in there with a mirror to have a good look?

[roadnsky]

Or stick a digital camera in there and shoot away.
Makes for some revealing pics sometimes!

[Marian Claire]

I have an early model, 1965. I loosen both the vertical screw a turn or two and the horizontal bolt /screw with nut to adjust my timing. The horizontal has a flat head slot I believe. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[Marian Claire]

The online parts catalog has a good pic of the distributor and shows the horizontal screw. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[suttonwt]

Catalog pix

Good call Marian,

Thanks for the catalog picture idea; it clearly shows the screw that I was asking about. I'm still not sure what it does but it looks as if I can loosen it off a bit without fear of it rotating out of reach when I try to tighten it back up.

Thanks!
Bill

[67c&ccorv]

Hello all, I have an early A4 with a Prestolite distributor in my 1967 Cal28. I adjusted the points last weekend per the manual and now I need to time the engine. The trouble that I’m having is that although I’ve loosened off the distributor retaining bracket bolt, the distributor will not rotate (much). It will only rotate 1-2 degrees then stops as if it hits something solid. It is difficult to see in and around that distributor area, but hidden way back under a water hose (running between the distributor and the block) screwI can see the head of a horizontally positioned but I can’t see what it’s function is; it might actually be part of something on the shaft at the base of the distributor. Any ideas as to the likely cause of the distributor’s body unwillingness to rotate?

Thanks,
Bill

Bill,

1.) The distributor mounting bracket bolt mounts the distributor to the block;

2.) the horizontal bolt in the bracket at the base of the distributor shaft is the timing adusting bolt.

Cheers!