Difficulty Of Distributor Removal- Early MEL

1958 LINCOLN AND MERCURY SERVICE BULLETIN NO.19

CAP SCREW INTERFERENCE WITH DISTRIBUTOR REMOVAL

On some early production 1958 Lincoln and Mercury engines it has been found that one of the longer front cover mounting cap screws was used to secure the engine front cover at the top left-hand location (front cylinder cover cap screw nearest the distributor). Use of the longer cap screw at this location prevents removal of the distributor assembly.

In the event a distributor cannot be removed from the engine, loosen the top left-hand cap screw which secures the engine front cover. If the distributor can now be removed, then this cap screw should be replaced with a 5/16"-18x2" cap screw, part number 20520-S8, whenever removal of the water pump is necessary. Until such time as the other work is necessary and this screw is replaced, loosen the cap screw to faciltate removal of the distributor.