Any tips on getting the shaft out of an HEI distributor? i managed to get it this far by gently tapping with a hammer at the gear end and slightly twisting back and forth a little. But, at this point, it won't move at all. These were gentle taps, not big poundings. When the distributor is fully assembled, the shaft does turn freely. i understand that the shaft should fall out normally, but i suspect this is the first time the distributor has been dissembled. (Ronald Reagan was still president when this distributor was first placed in service......)
Spray carb cleaner into the housing from the bottom side and work it out. The oil varnish on the shaft is holding it.
I'm thinking that you have a burr on the shaft. Gently tap it back in and check around the hole for he pin that holds the gear. It also may be crud build up that is making it stick. Varnish / crud build up = pretty much the same but if it is thick enough it will hang up in the bushing.
Yes, I've had dozens of these give trouble coming apart. I always wet the shaft with carb cleaner or some other solvent before I move the shaft too far. Get it moving and keep it wet while you move it in and out and before long it will slip right out.
Carb cleaner did the trick----and pretty quickly too. No burrs at the roll pin holes. i'll update at my next crisis.....
Lube shaft before reassembly. Also get drive gear correctly oriented on shaft before installation. As I recall the dot dimple on gear collar should point the same way as the rotor.
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