Tried to replace the hall effect on my 86 740 distributor and ruined it tring to get the pin out of the shaft to disassemble it. Hats off to you guys who have done this job. Seems like you almost need a fixture to hold the shaft. I ended up driving 40 miles to get a new distributor. Its a $230 expense, but sure made it an easy job.

Never could diagnose it, since everytime it would restart. Therefore bought an $80 powerstage to keep handy incase it stops again.

Thanks to everyone who gave diagnostic and repair input into this project.

I actually removed it once, but wait till you try to install a new one, I was using Jbweld to glue it on. I forgot how percise it has to be aligned to not hit the 'wheel'. Did not not work.

I ended up getting a used dist.

I second that!

I gave up on trying to remove the pins from 700 distributors a while back. It was just too much frustration. I've tried pressing, hammering, using a vise, you name it. The only thing I didn't try was using explosives, because someone stopped me before I could do it. (I figured, if I couldn't hammer it out, I'd just blow the thing clear across Lake Michigan).

The last one I did, I replaced with a $35 used unit with a good hall sensor. I was too frustrated to continue to hammer, bang, and smash on that pin to want anything less.
--
1992 940 wagon, low miles
as well as others.

You and I have the same story. I don't feel so bad now.