Removal of fuel pump and distributor

Two nuts hold the petrol pump. This is easily removed but there is a warning in the Guide I am using not to try and remove the bakelite stand or operating rod as they are fragile and may break. They suggest leaving them in until the engine is split.
There is one nut holding the distributor, in fact it holds the clamp to the block. We undid this and the clamp bolt but the distributor would not even turn let alone come out. Some sharp knocks with a piece of wood and hammer gradually prised the body upwards and out.