I have a 1988 GT original MERA. I need to replace the coil under the distributor. I removed the hold down bolt. Used penetrating oil for hours. Tapped it at the base. The base turns. I cannot get the distributor to disengage the gear and pull out. Any suggestions are appreciated! Thank you!

I have experienced a totally stuck distributor but on a Cadillac 4.9L engine. I was going to replace the old distributor with a new one but that old distributor was stuck solid. Tried using penetrating oil and tapping the base but that didn't work. I finally got out a big pipe wrench and grabbed the distributor with it. A few times rocking the stuck distributor back and forth with the wrench and it pulled out easily. When you remove a distributor be sure to mark the position of the rotor with reference to the housing beforehand and take a picture of it. Then when you reinstall you'll be close to the timing there was there.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 08-24-2025).]

quote Originally posted by jrr: I cannot get the distributor to disengage the gear and pull out.

It definitely will not be any kind of gear engagement that's preventing the distributor body from being pulled out of the hole. It's either crud on the distributor base (down below) or possibly the rubber O-ring is stuck to the wall of the hole. As long as you've removed the bolt and lock-down tab, the distributor will pull out of the hole.

The rubber O-ring has probably turned to stone. Make sure to replace it with a high-temperature one, such as what Rodney Dickman sells.

[EDIT] LOL... found my response to this same question from ten years ago!

quote Originally posted by Patrick Here: IMO, it makes no difference rotating the the crankshaft to remove the distributor. It's not the gear at the bottom of the distributor that gets stuck, it's the O-ring of the outer housing that may sometimes bind on the way up and out of the lower intake plenum. Twist the housing back and forth while pulling up as hard as possible. If it can be raised at all, but it's still sticking, squirt some lubricant down where the O-ring sits.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-24-2025).]

i used to use oil filter wrenches for stuck distributers.