Early S Distributor help, please

[KevinG]

I am having some problems with the advance on my Early S distributor (2.2S mechanical advance). When set at the proper idle timing, I cannot get it to advance beyond 26 / 27 BTDC. By rotating, I can get to the 30 degree mark, but now the idle setting is slightly BTDC.

Thinking that sitting for a year might have gunked (technical term) up the weights, I pulled the distributor but couldn't remove the pin to remove the drive gear to remove the housing to get at the weights and springs. I settled for hosing it out with carb cleaner and some wd40 but it didn't do any good. BTW - the springs are intact and attached.

Is there some trick to removing the retaining pin? I gave it some solid whacks with a drift punch with the only results a slightly marred pin tip.

would there be a possibility that the installation of a crane optical trigger interfering with the movement of the weights (like a mounting screw a tad too long?

Thanks!

[Early_S_Man]

Kevin,

You don't have to remove the gear to do cleaning & lubing of the centrifugal advance mechanism ... everything is accessible after you remove 3 or 4 screws and the point plate!

Here is a thread with an exploded diagram:

distributor lube...

[KevinG]

Thanks Warren -

I have the drawing (and the thread) printed and in my notebook, but I could have sworn that the points mounting plate was not removable. I will have to try again.

Am I correct in assuming that worn out springs would not keep the distributor from fully advancing? I would think it would advance too quickly instead.

[Early_S_Man]

Kevin,

Your assumption is correct. However, in several decades of examining VW, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes distributors ... I have yet to encounter a weak or worn out Bosch distributor spring! Ocassionally they break after rust has taken its' toll.

The usual cause for 'limited' or no advance condition is rust on the pivot posts and weights, or gummed-up grease/oil buildup. Sometimes the grease and dirt is just like rubber cement ... holding the weights from moving much at all!