SC Distributor Rebuild?
 

I have been looking at the parts needed to do this rebuild from parsklassik. The kit is reasonable, however what does the following mean concerning the "distributor machine"?

This kit is meant for the professional with skill and understanding of the distributor function, having a distributor machine to run up the distributor before installation is a must.

Thanks
James

Are you planning on changing the springs on the advance weights? You would want to test that on a machine for correct action at the optimum rpm.
Everything else in there is strictly R&R.

I have some axial play. Slight but there.

Distributor is out. Do I need to address the springs on the weights?

Distributor Re-Bush
 

Here's a link to the distributor that I refreshed with new bushings for my '83.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/755343-83-sc-ignition-distributor-bushing-replacement.html

Good luck,

Gordo

I didn’t when I did mine.
If you are not changing spring tension for different performance, not a problem.

Lol, just saw my posts in Gordo’s thread, been working fine for 5 years. :)

I don't see why you can't mark off degrees on your pulley then use a timing light to check if the advance is correct. Mark off every 10 degrees on the crank pulley. Check the advance every 1000 rpm and compare to the spec.

I rebuilt mine with the recommended springs, bushings, etc. Very straight forward to do. I didn't put it on a machine, ran it all summer - hard. No boom. I think it is advisable for a company to provide a caveat in their own interests. I would too.
That being said, if you choose to rebuild it yourself, like I did, you must put it on a distributor machine. :)
You choose.

Thanks for the replies.

I found this concerning axial play, I hope the author will not mind my using it:

There are two sources of up and down slop on your distributor. The lower shaft that has the helical gear on it and the upper shaft that rotates from the centrifugal weights and springs. You are probably just feeling the upper shaft move. It's held down by the rotor cap anyway so not to worry. Like Steve says, the distributor doesn't affect the timing anyway.