Stuck Thunderbolt distributor rotor

• Aug 7, 2020

• #1

Griff 4

Member

May 27, 2019

32

Boat Info

Bayliner 325

Engines

two 350 cubic inch 250 hp Mercruiser engines Bravo II

It's distributor cap time again. Does anyone have a new secret method about removing the pesky stuck rotor without destroying it? I know the service manual says to use 2 screwdrivers and pry up on opposing sides of the distributor. I haven't tried the screwdriver method yet. Thanks for your expert opinions. Griff

 

• Aug 7, 2020

• #2

Espos4

Well-Known Member

Jan 1, 2017

3,011

Long Island NY

Boat Info

2007 240 Sundeck

Engines

350 MAG Bravo 3 W/DTS

Once rusted on, you’ll probably wind up breaking the rotor to remove it.

 

• Aug 7, 2020

• #3

HawkX66

Well-Known Member

Jul 27, 2020

1,344

SE Virginia and NH

Boat Info

"Tread Knot"
1997 Sea Ray Sundancer 290DA

2020 F350 6.7L

Engines

454 L29 Carb w/ Bravo III

You could pull the distributor, flip it upside down and let some PB Blaster etc soak in. You could also freeze it. Steel shrinks more than plastic if I'm not mistaken.

 

• Aug 7, 2020

• #4

S

scoflaw

Well-Known Member

Aug 10, 2011

6,395

cape cod mass, cape coral fl

Boat Info

1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496

Engines

502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1

It's only plastic. Split it with a chisel or Dremel.

 

• Aug 7, 2020

• #5

HawkX66

Well-Known Member

Jul 27, 2020

1,344

SE Virginia and NH

Boat Info

"Tread Knot"
1997 Sea Ray Sundancer 290DA

2020 F350 6.7L

Engines

454 L29 Carb w/ Bravo III

scoflaw said:

It's only plastic. Split it with a chisel or Dremel.

Click to expand...

I would have said the same thing, but he was asking how to do it without breaking it.

 

• Aug 9, 2020

• #6

Griff 4

Member

May 27, 2019

32

Boat Info

Bayliner 325

Engines

two 350 cubic inch 250 hp Mercruiser engines Bravo II

Thanks all, for your expert advice! I followed the service manual this time and used 2 screwdrivers on opposing sides to pry up the pesky rotor. Tapped it a little with a small hammer prior to equally prying up. And the last time I did this job a slight smear of silicone grease was on the shaft. The problem is that the shaft rusts onto the rotor. A better quality shaft material is really needed. Griff.