Disassembly of distributor

[squidmarks]

I'm trying to disassemble the distributor on my '82SC. As part of the rebuild, I want to give it a thorough cleaning. I've been struggling with it for some time now and can't seem to release the coil and outer electrode ring as they are internally connected to the vacuum advance linkage. I've unscrewed the vacuum advance, but it won't come off because the linkage is still attached internally. I've removed the snap-rings that hold the inner electrode "star" to the distributor shaft. I've also unscrewed the three socket head screws that hold down the outer electrode/coil. All these distributor internals are loose, but won't come out since because of the vacuum advance linkage.

Has anyone else had their distributor apart?

Thanks.

Geoff

[squidmarks]

After writing that post, I went back to my workbench and wiggled, coaxed and persuaded the vacuum advance linkage more and it popped off! I wasn't really sure how it was attached, but it appears the pin the linkage was hooked on was a bit rusty and just needed a bit more time and patience.

After the vacuum advance was removed, all the distributor innerds came out nicely.

Geoff

[euro911sc]

Geoff,

Very interesting stuff, could you post some pics? My engine is apart completely and whilst I await some part machining this sounds like a intermediate job I could tackle. you said your dist. was dirty... how dirty? are there parts that you will be replacing as wear items? If you could document your process that would be great for the rest of us!

Best regards,

Michael

[squidmarks]

Michael,

Ok, I'll post a few pictures. The engine I'm rebuilding was pretty filthy - lots of rust and oil. The distributor was no exception. Oil was in the vacuum advance diaphragm and the ignition advance mechanism was pretty rusty.

Disassembly is relatively straightforward (now that I have it apart - it wasn't obvious, tho). Other than taking a few pictures of the ignition advance mechanism before I took it apart (to make sure I put it back together the same way), I didn't document the disassembly process. I have since cleaned and bead-blasted all the parts and will be putting it back together this weekend. Other than a couple washers I lost, I don't think I'll need to replace any parts of it. Even the plastic bushings and guides in the ignition advance were not worn excessively.

Here's a couple pictures of the ignition advance assy before I took it apart.

What I am holding in my hand is the distributor shaft that has been removed from the housing.

I'll describe how I disassembled it later this weekend.

[boxermania]

squidmarks

See the weights and the little springs, that is what sets the rate of timing advance, the little red bushing in the slot underneath is what limits the total advance.

Clean, polish everything well, rebush the distributor if you have more than .002" lateral movement at the top of the shaft. I don't know what is the up/down clearance for that model but for the ones I have worked on is .004" to .006"

You didn't asked but I figured someone might gain something from the info.

Good luck

[euro911sc]

Now I see what you mean by dirty. Thanks for putting up the pics.

Squidmark, thanks for the info on the specs. Just out of curiosity, you said to change the advance curve you change weights or springs, or both? and just how do you know where the new point is unless you throw it on an engine? Is there a dist. testing machine or method? Or is it as simple as buying a weight and spring set and installing?

no hijack intent, just really curious

Best regards,

Michael