How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

[Michael L.]

Guys,

In trying to get my 69 L-46 to run I'm replacing the distributor to coil (-) wire and the base plate ground in the distributor. I had the distributor restored by Jerry McNeish several years ago but I believe he reused the wires and I just want to replace them now and eliminate that as a potential problem. I need to remove the base plate to do this. I've looked at the CSM and at some videos on YouTube as well as some old posts and it seems that I need to remove the distributor gear in order to be able to get the base plate up. Is this correct? I only want to remove the pin holding the gear if I have to. If I have to remove the pin can I re-use it or do I need to get another one? Thanks for your help.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

Guys,

In trying to get my 69 L-46 to run I'm replacing the distributor to coil (-) wire and the base plate ground in the distributor. I had the distributor restored by Jerry McNeish several years ago but I believe he reused the wires and I just want to replace them now and eliminate that as a potential problem. I need to remove the base plate to do this. I've looked at the CSM and at some videos on YouTube as well as some old posts and it seems that I need to remove the distributor gear in order to be able to get the base plate up. Is this correct? I only want to remove the pin holding the gear if I have to. If I have to remove the pin can I re-use it or do I need to get another one? Thanks for your help.

Mike

Mike------


First of all, if Jerry MacNeish rebuilt the distributor, I would not be the least concerned about the ground wire attached to the base plate. These things are rarely a problem and I'm sure he inspected it.

In order to remove the base plate, you have to first remove the distributor mainshaft. That's why the distributor drive gear has to be removed. Then, you have to remove the cam/weight base. Finally, you can remove the base plate. It is retained by a very small and thin clip.

Like I say, though, I think you're getting involved in way more than you need to. Plus, you might screw something up upon re-assembly.

[Larry M.]

Re: How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

Michael:

Just use a good multimeter and measure resistance between the distributor cast iron housing and the base plate. Resistance should be "zero" or damn close to it. There should be "continuity" between these two pieces..

You can move the base plate by activating the vac advance can (using a mighty-vac or similar). Do this when checking resistance to make sure nothing changes as the vac can moves throughout its range.

Larry

[Mark E.]

Re: How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

Michael:

Just use a good multimeter and measure resistance between the distributor cast iron housing and the base plate. Resistance should be "zero" or damn close to it. There should be "continuity" between these two pieces..

You can move the base plate by activating the vac advance can (using a mighty-vac or similar). Do this when checking resistance to make sure nothing changes as the vac can moves throughout its range.

Larry

Testing first is the way to go Michael. Sometimes the ground wire becomes loose and creates an intermittent ground when the breaker plate moves with the VAC. And as mentioned, also check continuity with the lead between the coil and points.

[Timothy B.]

Re: How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

Plus, if you are having a problem getting the car to make sparks check the ground path from the distributor body to the engine with the ohm meter.

To much paint can cause the ground path to be bad. Also, make sure the engine grounds are in place.

You can also close the points and check the ground path from the coil (-) post (with the distributor wire connected) to the engine block which will verify the complete circuit through the distributor.

[Michael L.]

[Duke W.]

Re: How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

The distributor disassembly/assembly is in the COM, not the CSM. The CSM just covers removal and installation of components like the distributor, starter, alternator, windshield wiper, etc. Everyone with a '66-up model need the appropriate year COM. For '63-'65 models component overhaul is in the 1963 Corvette Shop Manual, ST-21.The breaker plate is retained to the housing by a very thin and narrow wavy "snap ring".

To access it the shaft/cam-weight base, weights, springs must be removed, which requires removing the gear by tapping out the roll pin. Just tap it far enough out to free the shaft. They are normally reuseable.


When you reinstall BE SURE that the dimple in the gear is pointing the same direction as the rotor tip. Look for the ends of the ring and use a small tool like a dental curette to spread it and remove.I've seen instances of broken breaker plate ground wires. Search for a 2012 thread started by me - L-79 distributor blueprint/overhaul. The ground wire broke off as I removed the breaker plate. NAPA has a repair wire and the part number is either in this thread or another thread that I link to to discuss the ground wire issue. It can be installed without removing the dist. from the engine.

Duke

[Michael L.]

Re: How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

Thanks Duke. Sorry what is the COM?

[Duke W.]

Re: How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

Chassis Overhaul Manual

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: How do I remove my 69 distributor base plate?

Thanks Duke. Sorry what is the COM?

Michael------

Like this (just the cover; not the whole manual):


1969CorvetteOverhaulManual.pdf