Replace Distributor- is there an easy way?

[Inbred Redneck]

It's an '87 STX, 177CI and I'm hopin' somebody can tell me the easiest way to pull the distributor. I don't have Jeannie to blink or Samantha to twitch her nose so any other suggestions are welcome. Being done in a hotel parking lot, so the less time and fewest steps required are top priority. I do have a new Cardone unit from Rock Auto that's been sittin' ready for a couple of years for just this eventuality.
Thanks in advance.

 

[RonD]

Yes, match the rotor

Remove cap and take a picture of the distributor so you can see where the TFI module is pointed and the Rotor, so housing orientation and shaft orientation, you can put a mark on the housing matching rotors position

Thats the timing you need to match

You can rotate the engine manually using a socket on the crank pulley to orient the rotor on old sitributor to what ever position you want, some turn it so rotor is pointed to #1 spark plug wire and crank pulley is on TDC mark, but users choice, you don't have to

When you pull out the old distributor the rotor will turn slightly because the gear drive is angled, so when you put the new one in it will rotate in opposite direction, so try not to turn the old rotor after removal and then match the new distributors rotor to its position and it will go in and turn to correct position

At the bottom of distributor shaft is the oil pump drive, this also has to seat
Once new distributor is in and rotor position matched, you may need to turn the crank 1/4 turn left and right to match oil pump drive shaft, and distributor should drop into place all the way
But it may just drop in all the way first time

 

[Inbred Redneck]

Yes, match the rotor

Remove cap and take a picture of the distributor so you can see where the TFI module is pointed and the Rotor, so housing orientation and shaft orientation, you can put a mark on the housing matching rotors position

Thats the timing you need to match

You can rotate the engine manually using a socket on the crank pulley to orient the rotor on old sitributor to what ever position you want, some turn it so rotor is pointed to #1 spark plug wire and crank pulley is on TDC mark, but users choice, you don't have to

When you pull out the old distributor the rotor will turn slightly because the gear drive is angled, so when you put the new one in it will rotate in opposite direction, so try not to turn the old rotor after removal and then match the new distributors rotor to its position and it will go in and turn to correct position

At the bottom of distributor shaft is the oil pump drive, this also has to seat
Once new distributor is in and rotor position matched, you may need to turn the crank 1/4 turn left and right to match oil pump drive shaft, and distributor should drop into place all the way
But it may just drop in all the way first time

Thanks, Ron. The timing issues are something with which I'm intimately familiar, but the only experience I've had with R/R from an engine has been with FE and 302. Very cognizant of issues with the shaft for the OP as we had to retrieve one from the oil pan in my '65 F100.
I'm kinda hopin' to pull the disty without removin' the plenum. Any secret tips? Stick tongue outta left side of mouth while crossin' eyes?
I already know all the magic mechanics' words for use when droppin' sockets and wrench slippin' off bolt while skinnin' knuckles. Just don't seem to be much room next to that firewall.

 

[RonD]

Removing upper intake will give you more room to work
Just 6 nuts if I remember correctly, be sure to put rags in the lower intake holes if you do this, dropping something in the lower intake will ruin your whole day
And 3 connectors
TPS, IAT and IAC
Throttle cable can stay attached if you want, just move upper intake to drivers side
I have never replace that gasket unless it was torn

 

[Inbred Redneck]

Okay. Gonna start on this Monday morning.

 

[Curious Hound]

 

[Inbred Redneck]

View attachment 87999

Gimme a big enough hammer and I can do anything!

 

[Inbred Redneck]

Just an update. Disty came out and went back in reasonably easily. Only removed cap & rotor and snaked the distributor over, under, around and through the available space.
Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

 

[Shran]

I'm a little late to the party but as you discovered it's doable with the upper intake in place, just tight!