Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1954 Chevy Belair, 1971 dodge demon, chevy belair

Question
I'm asking this for my dad ... he is in the process of restoring it ... I worked on it in the 70's  I painted it and drove it to school to a 50's thing at school... I never drove it that much ... one year out of school I bought a 1971 Dodge Demon .. 340 4 speed etc ... I raced and made it go faster ... but to keep my pride and joy at home I moved the 1954 to a garage on the other side of town ... Lets just say  I let it set for more then 8 years .... never started ...  I move to FL .. back in 82 ... you get the picture ... But I was the last one to do anywork on it ... I'm helping dad out ..cause he is not on the internet ... I told him there's points replacements .. but he needs to  take  points wire off that's a stud with bakelite washers inside and out .. he doesn't want to distroy the origional stuff ... but needs the hole for the electronic wires.... I'm not there or I could figure it out ...

Have you or any you know ever disassembled a 50's to 62 Chevy straight 6 distributor. Does that come off easy

Thanks in advance

Dale G


Answer
I'm not sure I understand what you are asking.  If all he needs to do is replace the points, there is no need to take anything apart or remove the distributor - the points come out by undo-ing the screw that holds them in, and the nut that holds the metal strap to the terminal post.  You probably know this, but it is important to replace the condenser at the same time you put new points in - they always go together.  NAPA will have them in stock, even for a 1954!

If you are asking how to remove the distributor, it comes out easily - there is just a clamp at the base that holds it in, but the advance mechanism is somewhat tricky to deal with, and also there is a very strong chance that he will disturb the timing if he pulls the distributor - so unless there is something I don't understand here, I advise leaving the distributor alone.

If I've missed the point here, ask again - and give me a little more information.

To answer your last question, yes, I've rebuilt these distributors in years past, but not recently. If the distributor needs to be rebuilt - I advise letting a pro do it, unless he has experience with doing this.

Dick