Snapped bolt in distributor housing.

[kirk]

Just got around to changing my cap today only to find that one of the bolts was snapped in the housing so it's basically been hanging on with one bolt which is far from ideal. Probably explains why it's never been changed before.

Now there is some of the bolt sticking out still so there's something to grab but with the housing being aluminium I suspect heating it up is not an option. With it being such a small bolt I'm guessing the only option is to remove it from the car and drill it out and re tap it'?

[Peter Gidden]

You'll never successfully drill out and retap such a small steel bolt out of an aluminium housing.

Secondhand distributor should cost you less than £30.

[kirk]

Well that's that then. Urgh this car is trying my patience lately.

[alanmr2turbo]

if there is still some of the bolt sticking out then why not try removing dizzy from car, put it in a vice and use some mole grips to undo it? Providing there is enough of the bolt for the mole grips to get a purchase on it.

[thomp1983]

Similar to alans idea id remove the dizzy and put the broken stub in the vice and use the dizzy body to turn it

[kirk]

In truth I was going to have a pop at doing it that way before heading off to the wanted section. Luckily there is enough sticking out to have try. It will need a bit of heat to move it reckon. I know heating aluminium can be a bit iffy but I've had success once before on a head with similar circumstances.

I'm more surprised it hasn't had a minor misfire being loose on one side of the cap.