How to get to the distributor hold down bolt?

abranz · 10-24-2009, 11:04 PM

Well I finally got the trans and engine back in. With the brown wire disconnected I'm at 0 degrees and I should be at 10btc. I cannot seem to get to the hold down bolt. What combination of tools and from what angle are you all getting to that bolt? Thanks Anthony

neo71665 · 10-24-2009, 11:47 PM

15 mm wrench and stick my hand back there

abranz · 10-25-2009, 12:00 AM

So a wrench, not a socket? I've been trying for an hour with a socket, swivel, and extensions without luck. I feel stupid even asking the question but I just cannot seem to get at it. Tony

ddog800 · 10-25-2009, 11:17 AM

I actually got to mine with a socket and a couple of short extensions stuck together... Took me about 40 minutes to find the sweet spot to get to the bolt, but once I did I was able to get to it pretty quickly. I was completely unable to actually get my hand back there with a wrench on my truck, there just wasn't the room, but you might have more luck with yours depending on how it's laid out back there.

bobditts · 10-25-2009, 11:45 AM

I have very little problem getting to mine. Then again, I removed the heat and A/C box under the hood.

abranz · 10-25-2009, 01:43 PM

well I've been trying for about 40 minutes and still cannot get it. I cannot get my hand and a wrench back there from the pass or drivers side. This is really ruining this project and fast. By the way thanks for the replies, I appreciate your help. Tony

andysutt · 10-25-2009, 02:03 PM

IIRC they do make a "special" tool for this at the parts store, but its really not all that special. lol

I've used a wrench and I've also used socket/swivel combination before... No problem really

neo71665 · 10-25-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by andysutt

IIRC they do make a "special" tool for this at the parts store, but its really not all that special. lol

I've used a wrench and I've also used socket/swivel combination before... No problem really

Hard to find a 15mm dizzy wrench tho

andysutt · 10-25-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by neo71665

Hard to find a 15mm dizzy wrench tho

Wouldn't know. lol I just know I have seen dizzy wrenchs at stores, but never picked one up, as I dont need them. lol

Neil2591 · 10-25-2009, 04:05 PM

Mines a 10mm lol, i use a 10mm stubby wrench.

abranz · 10-25-2009, 09:37 PM

Thanks to everone who replied. I finally got it using a 1/4" drive 15mm wobble. Sure appreciate the responses. Tony

dimerunner88 · 10-25-2009, 09:48 PM

i use a 15mm on a 3/8 swivel and 6 inch extension

Bigsky · 10-26-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88

i use a 15mm on a 3/8 swivel and 6 inch extension

Yea, that is what worked for me too...

vetkaw63 · 11-02-2009, 05:22 AM

I used a 13mm socket,3" ext., 3/8 swivel, and a 6" ext. I had to go in slightly from the passenger side while standing on the drivers side and guiding it with my right hand. It drew blood but, I got it done.

89Chubby · 11-05-2009, 12:53 PM

Had to deal with this, too, a few weeks ago. After farting around with a variety of extensions and whatnot, I wound up just sticking a 15mm socket on the end of my 3/8" flex-head ratchet and flexing the head back 90* (right-angle) and applying it directly without any extensions from the driver's side. You don't have to make the thing God-awful tight, btw, so unless the thing is really stuck on there hardcore, you don't need a lot of leverage.

For me, the only thing that prevented me from using extensions was the fact that the wires coming out of the ignition module were totally in the way. Couldn't get a straight shot at it, but using the flex-head ratchet kind of made it an L-shaped wrench that had enough room to clear it. I friggin' love that tool - best $10 or so I've ever spent.

Rustdaway · 11-06-2009, 03:57 PM

I have the snap on 15mm wrench you need to fix that. Let me know your address and whatever shipping is plus a deposit on the wrench so I can get it back is all that's needed. Used it once to adjust my timing and its been in the tool box since.

Or, you can go to ebay and do a search on "15mm Distributor wrench" and spend about $20 to $40 to get one.

Project89v6 · 11-10-2009, 08:47 PM

get urself a 15mm 1/4 inch drive swivel socket, 6 inch 1/4 drive extension and a 1/4 drive ratchet, works perfect

dont use a 15mm socket and swivel get one of the sockets that has the swivel built into it

GTCHAMBERS3 · 11-20-2009, 04:19 PM

mine was a 13MM socket, I used a JOINT conneted to the socket & 10" extension to the join; Go from passenger side through the back next to the ignition coil...

10-24-2009, 11:04 PM	#1
abranz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 18 Location: User is: OffLine	How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? Well I finally got the trans and engine back in. With the brown wire disconnected I'm at 0 degrees and I should be at 10btc. I cannot seem to get to the hold down bolt. What combination of tools and from what angle are you all getting to that bolt? Thanks Anthony
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-24-2009, 11:47 PM	#2
neo71665 4x4 v6 blazer Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,002 Location: rison arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? 15 mm wrench and stick my hand back there
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 12:00 AM	#3
abranz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 18 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? So a wrench, not a socket? I've been trying for an hour with a socket, swivel, and extensions without luck. I feel stupid even asking the question but I just cannot seem to get at it. Tony
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 11:17 AM	#4
ddog800 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 45 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? I actually got to mine with a socket and a couple of short extensions stuck together... Took me about 40 minutes to find the sweet spot to get to the bolt, but once I did I was able to get to it pretty quickly. I was completely unable to actually get my hand back there with a wrench on my truck, there just wasn't the room, but you might have more luck with yours depending on how it's laid out back there.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 11:45 AM	#5
bobditts banned Age: 25 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 946 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? I have very little problem getting to mine. Then again, I removed the heat and A/C box under the hood.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 01:43 PM	#6
abranz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 18 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? well I've been trying for about 40 minutes and still cannot get it. I cannot get my hand and a wrench back there from the pass or drivers side. This is really ruining this project and fast. By the way thanks for the replies, I appreciate your help. Tony
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 02:03 PM	#7
andysutt Lifts are for 4wds! Age: 26 Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,540 Location: Conway Arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? IIRC they do make a "special" tool for this at the parts store, but its really not all that special. lol I've used a wrench and I've also used socket/swivel combination before... No problem really
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 02:48 PM	#8
neo71665 4x4 v6 blazer Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,002 Location: rison arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? Quote: Originally Posted by andysutt IIRC they do make a "special" tool for this at the parts store, but its really not all that special. lol I've used a wrench and I've also used socket/swivel combination before... No problem really Hard to find a 15mm dizzy wrench tho
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 02:49 PM	#9
andysutt Lifts are for 4wds! Age: 26 Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,540 Location: Conway Arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? Quote: Originally Posted by neo71665 Hard to find a 15mm dizzy wrench tho Wouldn't know. lol I just know I have seen dizzy wrenchs at stores, but never picked one up, as I dont need them. lol
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 04:05 PM	#10
Neil2591 4X4 Age: 18 Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? Mines a 10mm lol, i use a 10mm stubby wrench.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 09:37 PM	#11
abranz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 18 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? Thanks to everone who replied. I finally got it using a 1/4" drive 15mm wobble. Sure appreciate the responses. Tony
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-25-2009, 09:48 PM	#12
dimerunner88 whore turned lurker Age: 23 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 19,765 Location: Clay City,IN User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? i use a 15mm on a 3/8 swivel and 6 inch extension
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-26-2009, 11:43 PM	#13
Bigsky Registered User Age: 39 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88 i use a 15mm on a 3/8 swivel and 6 inch extension Yea, that is what worked for me too...
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-02-2009, 05:22 AM	#14
vetkaw63 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 24 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? I used a 13mm socket,3" ext., 3/8 swivel, and a 6" ext. I had to go in slightly from the passenger side while standing on the drivers side and guiding it with my right hand. It drew blood but, I got it done.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-05-2009, 12:53 PM	#15
89Chubby King Turd Polisher Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 416 Location: Apache Junction, AZ User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? Had to deal with this, too, a few weeks ago. After farting around with a variety of extensions and whatnot, I wound up just sticking a 15mm socket on the end of my 3/8" flex-head ratchet and flexing the head back 90* (right-angle) and applying it directly without any extensions from the driver's side. You don't have to make the thing God-awful tight, btw, so unless the thing is really stuck on there hardcore, you don't need a lot of leverage. For me, the only thing that prevented me from using extensions was the fact that the wires coming out of the ignition module were totally in the way. Couldn't get a straight shot at it, but using the flex-head ratchet kind of made it an L-shaped wrench that had enough room to clear it. I friggin' love that tool - best $10 or so I've ever spent.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-06-2009, 03:57 PM	#16
Rustdaway Honor, Grace, and Dignity Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 344 Location: IL User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? I have the snap on 15mm wrench you need to fix that. Let me know your address and whatever shipping is plus a deposit on the wrench so I can get it back is all that's needed. Used it once to adjust my timing and its been in the tool box since. Or, you can go to ebay and do a search on "15mm Distributor wrench" and spend about $20 to $40 to get one. Last edited by Rustdaway : 11-06-2009 at 03:59 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-10-2009, 08:47 PM	#17
Project89v6 Registered User Age: 29 Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 40 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? get urself a 15mm 1/4 inch drive swivel socket, 6 inch 1/4 drive extension and a 1/4 drive ratchet, works perfect dont use a 15mm socket and swivel get one of the sockets that has the swivel built into it
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-20-2009, 04:19 PM	#18
GTCHAMBERS3 Registered User Age: 24 Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to get to the distributor hold down bolt? mine was a 13MM socket, I used a JOINT conneted to the socket & 10" extension to the join; Go from passenger side through the back next to the ignition coil...
	[Reply w/Quote]