Distributor question - Need to get this fixed

[greasemunkee]

Need to know if I can directly swap out distributor 1112403 with a 1112390 on a 235 Chevy inline 6 engine that came out of a '55 Chevy 3100. I have short time to get my truck back on the road, the 1112403 points adjustment is all chewed up and have the 112390 laying around. Seems like they would be a direct swap, but really not sure. Any help is appreciated.

[greasemunkee]

Anyone??

[gordy80128]

I 've have a tiny set of vise grips (~4" overall length) that I've had luck with for dealing with these kinds of problems. Clamp them down on the screw head vertically and then turn the pliers. Just another idea before you scrap the dist. Home Depot and Lowes sell the tiny vise grips (off shore copies) for $5 or less.
Good luck

[greasemunkee]

Gordy, I tried the small vice grips last night with no luck. The top of the screw is just completely destroyed. I now know why they were so far out of whack, the PO just couldn't adjust them right.

Anyone know if these are direct swaps?

[KJSR]

Measure the drive gear dimentions/depth/etc and if they are the same it should just work.

[MainProp]

So I searched around a little bit and found this in the Stovebolt forum. Sounds like you got a GMC distributor that may not fit. But the points plate inside may swap over just fine. Check this out:
http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/...&Number=699021

This link could be garbage so cut me some slack.

[AlbuqF-1]

I'd sacrifice the points so you have more room, just dremel off the stationary point and its support. A pair of linemen's pliers with fresh teeth should get that out. If not, dremel off the head of the screw, remove the points plate. You should have enough of the screw threads sticking up to grab, if not, drill out the screw.

[greasemunkee]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Going to try and shove it in there tomorrow since they measured up the same, so we'll see how that goes. If it doesn't fit for what ever reason, I'll swap the points plate like MainProp suggested. For some reason I didn't even think of that, must be all the exhaust fumes messing with my head. Will post if it fits in case anyone else has a problem and a spare GMC dizzy laying around.

[budd]

that screw doesn't adjust the points does it? the screw that is removed is what holds the points doesn't it?

[greasemunkee]

Budd, you are right. the screw that is missing is the one that holds the points down. the problem is with the eccentric screw that you use to adjust the points. the top is so chewed up that you can't get a screwdriver to catch in either direction therefore not allowing the points to be adjusted. that is really the only reason I was looking to replace the dizzy.

[budd]

maybe a dremel with a cut off disk could fix the screw head, so you can still remove the points right?

[budd]

so heres a youtube showing points like yours, you really do not need that screw, it does make sitting the points a little easier but not necessary, pulling the points and filing the hole for the excentric you could then set the points, cheap and dirty maybe but you would be running.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub1RvqeF5B0

[325w]

Can you remove the plate and get to the s crew on the threaded side. Cut new slot with the Drexel . Got to be a way to get it loose

[36roadster]

As long as the shaft length, number of teeth, etc are the same, it should work. This may sound a bit agricultural, but how about just touching the top of that screw with the arc welder so that the rod sticks, then you have more of a "handle" to get the vice grips on.
Also, the localised heat may get the screw moving easier.