ronarndt

The hold-down clamp and bolt on my 68 convert with stock distributor has the tach drive right in the way where I need to use my distributor wrench. I have the box end type with the off set handle. Even though it is a rather slim box end, it hits the tach drive so it will not go on the bolt. Tightening with the tips of an open end wrench gives poor tightening so the distributor sometimes can turn. I made a 9/16 inch "wrench" from a piece of flat steel and bent it to fit, but it is a poor substitute. Before I heat a perfectly good 9/16 inch open end wrench with my torch and bend it, has anyone found a wrench that works here? I'm thinking a spade foot wrench, but it may be too thick. I already have about six wrenches that I have either cut or ground away to fit on parts on cars I no longer own. Given that this distributor is on thousands of Corvettes, there must be a wrench that fits. Suggestions?

terry82

I looked at e-bay put in distributer wrench . lot of choices

ronarndt

I looked there also. They are all like the wrench I already have. The box end is too thick to fit in the space between the tach drive on the side of the distributor and the bolt that secures the hold-down clamp.

lars

Pull your distributor out and install it correctly. The tach drive and the hold-down clamp are almost 180 degrees apart: The tach drive should point out towards the driver's side, slightly back. The hold down clamp is on the passenger side, slightly forward. Any wrench will work if you put the distributor into the block the correct way.

Lars

ronarndt

The distributor is in the manifold like you describe. There isn't enough slack in the cable for it to go any other way. The after-market chrome hold-down clamp was on the threaded boss on the driver side when I bought the car. I switched it to the threaded boss on the passenger side and could not get it to firmly hold the distributor so it would not turn. The "heel" of the hold-down would not rest on the manifold on the passenger side so the forked "toe" would press on the distributor when the bolt is tightened. Will get a stock hold-down and that should fix it.

gkull

Years ago I had some problem like that and I just bought a allen head bolt

Peterbuilt

You need this:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/a...rm=wrench+sets

73 Scott

Maybe a socket, extension with a unjoint on it.

jim2527

Find out why the proper side hold down isn't working.

If all fails use and allen head bolt as suggested by Gkull.

gungatim

get rid of the aftermarket chrome hold down. they don't work/fit for nothing. they are pretty universal so not really made for a chevy. can't tell you how many of those thing's I've seen on peoples motors that are reefed down but still don't hold. go back to a stock flat hold-down and you shouldn't have any problems.

Easy Mike

Mine looks like the catalogue pic. It fits my 3/8" drive ratchet. Works like a charm.

REELAV8R

I have that same wrench. It does make getting to that bolt a whole lot easier. Put the two together and you have plenty of leverage to turn the bolt and it goes on at the right angle.
Here it is at Amazon. I got mine at Summit racing.

capevettes

I have a Snap-On distributor wrench that works perfectly on my 68 Big Block. Nice tool

c3_dk

Here is my tool

c3_dk

BTW it is home made :- )

ronarndt

"get rid of the aftermarket chrome hold down. they don't work/fit for nothing. they are pretty universal so not really made for a chevy."


That is what I plan to do. It does not appear it is long enough to work on the threaded boss on the passenger side (where I tried to use it) and the PO put it on the threaded boss on the driver side, where it does get enough grip but is a PIA to turn with a wrench.


Thanks to the many who gave me suggestions for distributor wrenches. I have had one of the two piece 1/2 and 9/16 inch wrenches for over 30 years. It worked perfectly on distributors from dozens of engines, but this is the first distributor with a tach drive low down on the distrib housing I have worked on- could not figure why it would not work. But- not the wrench's fault. It's the hold-down, dummy!

Jeff_Keryk

I have a distributor wrench. Somewhere... I generally just use a a ratchet, extension, swivel and socket.

babbah

this is the stock one from Eckler's Corvette Parts for your Vette.

FlyLS6

Well, I have no idea if one of these in 9/16 would work on yours, but it works great on mine.

Ignore that this is the metric set....it's the first picture I ran across.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-7-pc-...&blockType=G41

PAmotorman

I would never use this dist clamp as it does not hold tight enough and the force from tach drive cable can cause the dist to move.