Distributor Rotor Removal

[burgundyman]

I removed the distributor cap on my 1993 Fleetwood but I cannot get the rotor off. What is the trick. I tried prying it off with a screwdriver but that required too force, so something did not seem right. Please anyone, I cannot go further without your help.

[jey]

I just replaced my rotor and it was on there TIGHT from 15 years of wear and tear. After soaking it in some WD-40 and tugging on it with a big pair of pliers (and breaking the plastic rotor in like 2 different places) it finally came off.

[burgundyman]

Originally Posted by jey

I just replaced my rotor and it was on there TIGHT from 15 years of wear and tear. After soaking it in some WD-40 and tugging on it with a big pair of pliers (and breaking the plastic rotor in like 2 different places) it finally came off.

Thanks for the advice. I got desperate and called a GM mechanic who said one of two things will help. Use a pair of needle nose pliers and pry it up from the base. Otherwise, tug at it like you said. Initially, I began tugging but could not get enough leverage. Then I used the needle nose pliers at the base and carefully pried it up. This worked like a charm. Now installing the new rotor was just a tough because it goes in tight.

I spent all weekend replacing the oem plugs with platinum ones, Replaced the plug wires with an OEM set from GM and also replaced the distributor cap. It was fun routing the plug wires. I was fortunate to have a service manual with the routing scheme.

Anyone needing help with their tune?...Feel free to ask.

[jey]

Installation of the rotor is infinitely easier than removal - just push it on. If yours was like mine the old one was just frozen in there from 15 years of wear and tear, all gunked up and dirty.

Yeah I did the wires too - one at a time so I didn't get the routing messed up. But the Service Manual (especially for like $25 off of eBay) is excellent for double-checking your work!

[burgundyman]

Originally Posted by jey

Installation of the rotor is infinitely easier than removal - just push it on. If yours was like mine the old one was just frozen in there from 15 years of wear and tear, all gunked up and dirty.

Yeah I did the wires too - one at a time so I didn't get the routing messed up. But the Service Manual (especially for like $25 off of eBay) is excellent for double-checking your work!

Well, the wires and plugs were actually ok for a 16 year old care. It was built in Oct.92 but is a 1993 model. I knew that age alone would work against the components that are subjected to heat like the plugs, wires, cap and rotor. I got my manual for 19.95. It helps but not all of the times. GM mechanics are always one step above us on short cuts to removal and installation. Remember they are working on the clock or no pay. Thanks for the advice.

[jey]

Yeah I've never had a service manual for any of the cars I've worked on - it's taking a little getting used to as it can be hard to find the information sometimes. And sometimes it can be too much information - for example, it had no procedure on removing that rotor and I got confused at first that you had to remove the whole distributor.

[burgundyman]

Originally Posted by jey

Yeah I've never had a service manual for any of the cars I've worked on - it's taking a little getting used to as it can be hard to find the information sometimes. And sometimes it can be too much information - for example, it had no procedure on removing that rotor and I got confused at first that you had to remove the whole distributor.

Oops...Sorry if I made it sound like I was removing the entire assembly...I wanted to do a thorough tune up...It is not a daily car...It is mint...I would like to take it to car local car shows...