early 323i distributor

[xavier]

I have an early 323i with the distributor on the side. Can someone point me in the direction of a thread or site on taking the distributor out and replacing it? I need to replace the oil seal that is knackered.

[pacerpete]

Be sure to mark the body in relation to the block and the rotor in relation to the distributor body and DO NOT turn the engine over while the distributor is removed.
There is a notch on the distributor body where the rotor lines up with when the engine is timed up on number 1 cylinder but as long as you adhere to the earlier procedure, you should have no issues. Be sure to check and adjust the timing afterwards, it will be incorrect, they always are .

The biggest problem will be getting the distributor out of the block, the dizzy is alloy and the block is cast iron, thirty years in residence means it will be in no hurry

[xavier]

What holds the distributor in ?

[pacerpete]

A 'clamp' secured by a 13 mm bolt.

[xavier]

I have been told that the oil pump drive comes off of the bottom of the ealry dizzy. Is there a method to disconect this without it falling into the motor?

[pacerpete]

No, but you would have to be really unlucky . I have never had one pull out of the pump and drop into the sump.

[xavier]

all sorted. Thanks folks