I'm trying to adjust the timing in my '65 since with the vacuum advance disconnected & plugged, it reads a few degrees AFTER top dead center and it should be 6 degrees before top dead center. With the vacuum advance connected, I get like 8 degrees.

However, after I loosened the distributor hold down bolt and tried to rotate the distributor, it would not budge in either direction.

What should I do? it's so awkward to turn the distributor as I feel like I can't get a good grip on anything but the vacuum canister (which I should say is a bit loose, should I tighten it down?)

 

very important is to try and turn it. do not try and pry it up (out) before it turns. People on this forums have all broken parts of it prying it out.
I know you said you only want to turn it, but i thought i'd throw that in anyway
try lotsa WD40 or similar, let it soak. if it's still stuck some people got it turned with applying heat and some had to use brute force. If it's smart applied brute force nothing speaks against it. and yes, when done make sure the vac canister is fixed.

 

Awesome, I put some Kroil penetrating oil around the base of the distributor when the engine was warm last night and let it sit overnight. Tried to turn the distributor this morning when it was cold and it was easy as pie.

Thanks Kalli.

 

perfect :-)

 

kalli knows what he is doing!!

 

i actually don't really know what i'm doing most of the times. I just read the posts and learn from what others were doing wrong :-]