Stuck Distributor gear

[Brody Mason]

Hi all this is my first time posting something here, but I need a little assistance, currently undergoing my first rebuilt for my 1968 Volkswagen Beetle and got the engine case back after having it machine and dipped for the engine has gone 20 plus years give or take without a good proper service, but when we got it back there is a gear stuck in the case that being the gear for the distributor we have tried soaking it in oil and everything yet nothing, is it supposed to be like this or what do I need to do to get it unstuck this is the only thing preventing me from finishing my rebuild so any info on this matter would be great. Here is photo of the gear that I am talking about thanks.

[Glenn]

Does it turn?
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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[my3bugs]

they sell a special tool to pull these , but i think upside down it should fall out

the tool is typically trying to lift it out in upright position , like with motor still in car .

the tool goes in the slot , you tighten it and it expands / bites the part so it can be lifted out , there a washer or two there as well .

id try a large screwdriver in the slot n see if you can get it to spin , i dont think anything is holding it .

[67rustavenger]

It looks like the fuel pump rod bakelite support is broken off in the case.
That may prevent the distributor drive from coming out of the case.

Is the drive stuck and not moving, or it moves but you cannot get it out of the case?
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[baldessariclan]

That’s the distributor drive gear, and it looks like the upper half is missing - ? Broken off, maybe??

I’ve never seen one of those broken/sheared off like that before, and so am thinking it might have gotten jammed or seized up at some point. If so, could be stuck pretty tight in the case, and require some serious coaxing to get it turning again, and eventually totally out. I’d inspect the case for other damage as well - might have been a catastrophic event in another location that contributed to breaking that gear, who knows?
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[Cusser]

[bsairhead]

[my3bugs]

i see what your talking about now , looks like 1/2 a drive gear and part of the bakelite spacer !!!

[Brody Mason]

Well to answer the question on why we didn't notice this is because the case was tightly sealed we couldn't get it open for of the gunk on it, I'm the cars third owner and it has been kind if neglected cause a lot of the parts are still original from factory and 20 plus years takes it toll when you don't properly take care of the engine. Now then so if the thing is messed up should I get a new one?

[67rustavenger]

[my3bugs]

doesn't look good to me , ya got get em out to see if its salvageable . to be jammed up i imagine some case metal is distorted / damaged , should be easy enough to get the spacer piece out maybe then you get at the gear better .

like how did this happen ? something hit the distributor that hard is all i can think of .

[Brody Mason]

Sorry should have clarified should I replace the distributor drive gear not the actual case after spending so much to get the case cleaned I Don't want to lose it sorry about that. Also no Idea with what happened I've only owned the car for 6 years and previously mentioned I am the cars third owner we bought it off someone. The engine was in rough shape when we first got it and it ran but it needed some serious attention because of how it was feeling and running when driving hence the current rebuild.

[my3bugs]

this is what one looks like , i dont see the upper half of yours .

[Brody Mason]

[Cusser]

Break out the plastic piece, then remove the distributor drive gear and clean it and the recess well. If it turns OK, re-use it, that's what I did in 2016. That VW was still running as of mid-day today !!!
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[my3bugs]

the harder i look i can now see it may all be there but its behind the fuel pump spacer . get that spacer out it it may just let go ?? the spacer still looks to be aiming the rod in the right direction .

what are you waiting for ??? it doesnt look as bad i had first thought . its prolly ok ??? let us know ???

[Brody Mason]

Will do I am getting with my buddy who is helping me rebuild the engine as its at his place later this week to tackle it I will post how everything goes thanks for the all the advice everyone really helps me out with this.

[Brody Mason]

So update, we got the gear out thanks to all the advice you lot gave me, the gear unfortunately is no good the teeth are all jacked up so I ordered a new one, but thanks to everyone to helped now I am on the path to getting the engine restored and driving my Beetle again.

[Zundfolge1432]

How many shims under the gear did you see? Show us a close up of just the gear can we see where it’s worn?