How can I take off the cap to replace the rotor since the right screw is rusted to hell? I got a suggestion to crack the distributor off and then turn the screw out with pliers. This would work, but is there anything I can damage by doing that? Also, when I do that and replace the rotor, do I have to adjust timing? This car has not had a tune up in years, so what else should I do while I'm in there? Also, anyone have a suggestion on HOW to crack the distributor cap into pieces? Thanks

The screws that hold on the cap should poke through the bottom. If so, use needlenose pliars to turn them from the bottom. If that doesn't work.... Get yourself a long drillbit and drill them out.

Removing the cap & rotor has nothing to do with the timing, so it is not necessary to adjust the timing. However, since you said it hasn't been tuned up in years I would check the timing and reset it if needed.

If you can't get that screw to come out you may need to remove the entire distributor (to get better access to it). This is easy to do, but make sure you mark the position of the rotor and ignition module. That will make reinstallation much easier (and won't screw with the timing). At that point you should also replace the distribuitor O ring too.

Well, i just really want to replace the rotor and cap, so in theory, could I break the cap off into pieces and turn the screws out with a screw driver? (Turn it out from the bottom?? I can't even see the top of the screws (4cyl) let alone the back of them.

DON'T turn them from the bottom even if you can get to them. It mangles the threads on the screws and that then reams the threads out of the distributor.

Break the cap then soak the threads with penitrating oil before you try to get them out.

But breaking the cap won't hurt anything in there? Never got in there before so I don't know what is in there. Just a rotor and a metal shaft? Anything else? Thanks

What kind of engine do you have? My 1984
4 cyl. has a distributer with things that look like screws holding the cap on but really aren't. They are just shafts that are bent 90 deg. at the bottom. They are spring-loaded. to remove the cap, you push them in and turn them 90 or 180 deg and lift the cap off. You can see that if you get under the car and look up at them.