can't pull out dist. shaft

OK, sorry to keep posting about this distributer issue, but I finally got the pin out of the drive dog and pulled the dog off, but now I can't separate the shaft from the bushing in the distributer. It seems that the shaft is wider at the bottom and when you try to pull up throught the bushing it just gets tighter and tighter. I don't want to destroy the bushing either. You can't push the shaft down b/c the spring advance plate is in the way. It doesn't look like the plate separates from the shaft or am I wrong? How does it come apart? I'd like to take it apart so I can clean all the oxidation in the bottom of the dist. body. Thanks for your support

Did you think the shaft was bent? (How do you bend a dist. shaft?) That could explain it.
The instructions definitely say you should be able to take it out the top, though I thought you had to remove the vacuum assembly first; Bentley disagrees.

Clean the shaft real good, feel it for any burs,
protrusions, or any abnormalty. If there are none, or you remove them, just keep it wet with penetrating oil, and keep turning and pulling, pushing and pulling and it will finally get the crud off and come out.

well ill try, and let ya know. It doesn't look bent to me, and it doesn't wobble when spinning, but it could be slightly off, I just can't notice. It just seems like the end of the shaft is too fat to fit through the bush. Hopefully I can just press it out. If not, I still have another dist. to use...

You shouldn't have to press it, maybe some light taps with a small hammer. Just keep monkeying with it and it should come out then you can polish the tight area with fine emery cloth until it feels right, lube it, and your'r eready to go again.

Well, I finally got it out. It was really stuck on due to lots of crud. I found out the large endfloat was caused by a plastic cup washer underneath the spring baseplate that was worn down quite a bit. I wonder if I could replace this, but I guess it's not a big deal.

About the vacc advance test, I have one of those hand pump vacs. What pressure should I go to to keep it safe? Also should I listen for a click when the diaph. moves or should I just make sure it doesn't leak? Thanks for the tips...

Congratulations!
As for the vacuum,I was taught to just see if it leaks; suck on the opening, put your tongue over it. If there is a pull and it stays, the diaphragm is fine.

If you want to use your vacuum pump just pull enough vacuum to activate the advance and see if it holds. I knew it was just crud holding the shaft in, it aways is.