Thanks again - I'll wait until next week before I try to tackle the job. First I have to locate portable engine hoist.

If you are sure that tang is not turning then you got trouble. Usually that shaft has problems with not staying "keyed" in to the pump and distributor. Make sure that is not the problem. That is driven off the center of the camshaft.
Look under the truck and see about getting the oil pan off. Maybe you can unbolt the motor mounts and lift the motor a bit to get the pan off. Then the oil pump comes right off and you can see the gear on the center of the cam too.

Thank - You are exactly right. It came out after some wiggling. Now from what I could see it looks like a tang on the top of the oil pump. Its not turning. I suppose thats where my problem lies. Do I have to pull the engine to get at the oil pump?

Joe B

If this is a flat head Continental motor that shaft should pull out with needle nose pliers. If it doesn't then rust and crap have built up on it causing the problem. Spray WD40, pull, and wiggle like crazy.

Believe the shaft your talking about is attached to the oil pump and possible runs/drives from the camshaft,might have to drop the oil pan and take the oil pump off? Havent worked on many of the old dinosaurs just going from what i know about other engines.

I'm a little bit confused with the operation of the forum, sorry. But do you have any idea how to remove the shaft?

Well got the distributor removed but there is a shaft still in the motor. It seems what ever is on the other end of the shaft is the problem. Anybody know how to remove the shaft? Its really loose but won't come out.

Thanks for the reply. Its a little too late. I already broke the distributor. I still can"t budge it.

Joe B

Heads up......the alum dist assy will bond to the cast cyl head. Chances are if the last tech did not install anti-seze compound. Use care in removing the dist. THEY WILL BREAK EASLY. Good luck

If there is a shear pin at the bottom, I think its sheared off. The rotor does not turn. I suppose I could remove the spark plug and see where the piston is but how will I know if its the power stroke? Anyway its worth a try. Thanks for the response. If you think of anything else, please advise. It will be greatly appreciated.

Joe B

no "special tools". (this thing was made before man had invented special tools).
Do you want to remove the entire distributor?
Bring the motor up on compression stroke tdc #1 cylinder, remove the cap to confirm the rotor's position, removing the spark plugs makes this easier.
take the nut off the stud and remove the "y" shaped clamp and the thing pulls straight out.