1974 Merc 500 distributor removal

[ebrown999]

Well I am tearing down my Merc 500. I got a nifty lift eye/flywheel removal tool off ebay for under $40. Worked great. Tear down was going good even though I have a terrible manual made by Selco. I am stuck on the distributor removal. It appears to have three bolts connecting it to a frame attached to the crankcase cover. The three bolts are covered by the aluminum(?)/cast piece that the belt is attached to. Do I need to remove that little toothed/notched pulley to get to the three bolts to remove the distributor? If so, how do I get it off w/o damaging it? I thought about a bearing puller but I'm not sure I can locate one that small. It has a little keyway but I'm not sure I could drive the key all the way out without significant damage.

Oh yes, Whenever I get to a part where I have to remove a bunch of wires or something odd, I am taking pictures with my digital camera so I know where everything goes. I am also bagging and tagging the parts as I remove them.

 

[BR]

Re: 1974 Merc 500 distributor removal

Hi,

You're on the right track. Yes, you need to remove the timing belt pulley cover, timing belt, and timing belt sprocket, (bolt in center of pulley cover). The timing belt sprocket should come loose with some gentle persuation. Then remove the three nuts on the underside of the crankcase mounting bracket and distributor will drop down allowing it to be removed from the bracket. Those three nuts are difficult to reach so patience is a must. I found that rotating the distributor by hand (as though advancing spark) can help gain access to the nuts. There is just enough clearance to remove the distributor assembly without detaching the plug wires from distributor. Observe your timing marks for reassembly - there's an arrow on the timing belt sprocket which points to a mark on the flywheel at #1 TDC if I remember correctly.

BTW - why the tear-down?

 

[ebrown999]

Re: 1974 Merc 500 distributor removal

Dead cylinder. 3 at 160 psi and one at 40. Only paid $40 and everything else seems ok. The motor wanted to run so I'm going to give it a shot at rebuilding. I ahve rebuilt several car motors so this shouldn't be too much different. Thanks for the advice. I thought that pulley needed to be removed.