Sorry I should have asked what engine. On the 302 that is not the case....

 

Hello Eric,

I can't believe you got all these replies & no one asked what motor you have.. Thats why it's kind of important to mention year truck & motor you are working on...

Well anyways!!!
I am not sure on how to get the shaft out of the old distributor, A new distibutor may come with a new shaft but I am not sure ( I Dont think so tho ).. I know to get the shaft out the distributor needs to be just about completely diss-assembled..

Ant...

 

Uh oh! That is NOT reassuring to hear.

I looked at the new distributor, and I do not see any kind of screw, set-screw, pin, fastener or other such thing at the bottom which would hold the shaft on. I haven't had a chance to take my old distributor out since yesterday, but if it's identical to the new one, I had figured that the shaft would just snap out of that thing with some pry-force. I guess I would never be that lucky, would I?

Experience tells me that when you disassemble a distributor, you never never never never get it back together working right again (at least I don't). If I have to do this, it would be unfortunate to say the least.

Ok, enough whining on my part. This afternoon, I will see what I can do.

 

One bit of advice I have bro and this goes for any distributor you buy. DO NOT get an Autozone cardone one. The failure rate on the pip inside the distributor is almost 100% on those pieces of crap.

 

Well, folks, it was a lot of worry about nothing. When I took the old distributor out, that hex shaft just pulled right out with a gentle tug on some pliers. Apparently, it was held in with a spring at the top, and went into the new distributor with little or no effort at all. Problem solved! Thanks, Eric.