There are shims under the gear. They have to slip-fall off the bottom of the
shaft to clear the gear on the crank. It sounds like you forced and maybe
turned the crank so these shims are now cocked and embedded into the crank
gear. Remove the block off plate next to the dizzy and look down with a
flashlight. You may be able to turn the crank back and free things up.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Zoltan
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:42 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Stuck distr. drive shaft ...

Hi to all,
I am having trouble to take out the distributor's drive shaft.  That four
inch long little shaft with a gear on it's end that goes down to meet the
crank to be driven and has that slot in it to drive the distributor.
It won't go down or up, and it won't turn either.  And the crank is not
turning it either.  There is no rust or dirt.  It is halfway up, being
disconnected from the worm drive.
I'm sure, the two washers in the bottom are out of position and won't let it
go down, but now that I would like to take it out, it won't budge.
Any suggestions from someone who knows?
Zoltan