63 340 hp distributor hold down

[Stuart F.]

I'm planning to pop my distributor out of my 63 340 hp this week to change out the vacuum advance can. It seems my hold down bolt is seized some since the last time I pulled it. I currently am using a hold down which cosists of a solid steel triangle shaped plate and bolt painted orange. In my parts stock I have another one like that only chrome, and a black phophate coated heavy gauge spring wire piece with a straddle clip. I believe the latter to be the original, but I'm not certain. I checked the JGM and the Assembly Manual, but don't see a reference. Anyone know which is correct? Also, got to find a way to break that bolt loose. I have a distributor wrench, but can't get enough leverage.

Stu Fox

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 340 hp distributor hold down

Stu, I believe the wire distributor hold down with the straddle clip is correct for your 63. If the bolt will move, try spraying some WD40 and work back and forth. If that does not do it a little heat will take care of it but be careful.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 340 hp distributor hold down

Thanks Tim. I'd forgotten I had the spring type until I ran across it, but the more I thought about it, the more I got to thinking that was the right one. Perhaps it will be less prone to seizing as I don't think you can get the "ol back yard mechanic" clamp out of it, and that's probably why I changed it to the older style. I know, you have to be careful with that aluminum. Perhaps a little thread lube is in order when I reinstall.

Thanks again.

Stu Fox

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 340 hp distributor hold down

Since the thread engages aluminum, use anti-sieze compound and just turn it down to "snug".

Duke

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 340 hp distributor hold down

Thanks Duke. I'll do just that.

Can't believe I spelled "sieze" as "seize"! Wow! I've been away from work too long (and basic English).

By the way, my son and I performed the valve adjustment according to your 90 degree method the other day. Seems to run and sound real good. I believe if I turn the idle screw down a bit, it will blow me some smoke rings now (when cold), Ha!

I guess a true test would have been to do the cyl #1 and #6 method first and then run it, but we just adjusted that way first and then again with the 90 degree method. I would say there was a little "feel" difference, but I can't be certain if it was a consistent difference. Never the less, I got what I "feel" was a good adjustment with it and I am happy.

Sure beats the old days adjusting them hot and finding a bad one by having it act as a punch press on your feeler gauge.

Thanks as always for your expert advice.

Stu Fox

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 340 hp distributor hold down

Actually, I misspelled it. "Seize" is one of the few exceptions to the "i before e except after c" rule.

Duke

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 340 hp distributor hold down

Whew! You had me going there. Actually, I have "lost it" so much I doubt myself first these days.

Thanks

Stu