Re: Vacuum Advance unit

Posted by Ross On 2009/10/31 11:49:16

Maybe I'm confused here, but if you want to take off the breaker plate, just remove the advance, the two screws that hold on the cap clips, the one screw halfway round between the two clips, and the terminal block. That comes off by undoing the nut on the inside of the distributor. All that takes just a couple of minutes on the bench. Your breaker plate will then just lift out complete with points, condensor, etc. If you want remove the breaker cam, then you have to do as Eric is describing, but I've almost never had to do that for any normal distributor refurb.

Interesting factoid a bit off thread: I've never needed to replace bushings in a V-8 dist as they are lubed with an oil cup and wick. I have always needed to replace bushings on the same dist. on a 53/54 with the grease cup.

A lot of funky idles on the older cars come from a loose upper bushing on the dist. Quick test: turn in your grease cup while the engine is running. If the engine speed changes your bushings are loose.(Dwell changes as the cam moves sideways.)