I am soooooo happy...., Niggling problem found and fixed Options

[porsche735]

So, after 7 years of blowing up pistons and mis-diagnosis, we have finally figured out what our problem was. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) We found that even though our distributor was rebuilt and the curve tested, all that was tested was the mechanical advance. Our vacuum advance/retard canister turned out to have a leak on the retard side. This caused us to have about 40 degrees advance at points. Seems we should see about 33-35 total advance maximum (duh 27 adv with disconnect plus the 8 degrees of vacuum advance..http://www.dgi.net/914/tech/distrib.html). We are getting the new part this morning to cure this once and for all.
It has been very expensive over the years with the multiple rebuilds we have gone through (a few thousand). All for a $95 part.
One question I still have is about these A1 cardone remanufactured distributors. I got mine rebuilt by a shop and am buying a new vacuum canister. It seems like you could use this:
http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDetails.as...ype=218&PTSet=A

All I have found is the one for a 1.7L, but it seem sto come with the vacuum canister AND trigger points (same as 2.0L) for $51.99 plus $1 core at my local Kragen. This sounds too good to be true as the trigger points and canister are each about $100. Obviously, the canister is probably used, but tested to spec... but gosh...

Has anyone gone this route? You would have to throw away the distributor on the 2 liter cars, but seems worth it if you need either of the other parts. Are the trigger points new?

Anyone with first hand knowledge of this?

Chris

[Rockaria]

Because of this post I looked into this furthur. I just got back from my friends garage. The first thing I did was to put a vacuum tester on the advance port of my dizzy. It held just find. Then I did the Retard. It moved the lever just fine. At first glance it looked and worked great but what would you know... It did not hold a vacuum at all for more than 3 seconds.

I happend to have a spare dizzy and Vaccum canister (Hey when a part like that comes up for a good deal you buy it if you think you need it or not). I quickly tested both ports and they held a vacuum just fine. I swapped the vacuum canister in my car that did not work with the working one and "I'll Be Darned" Everything started to work just like everyone has been explaining.

My curve is now spot on to the factory manuals and my advance and retard are perfect. It drives better, has better responce, runs 20 degrees cooler, and I have a feeling my gas mialage will increase. All due to my Retard canister now holding a vacuum.

Too cool,

Thanks Chris "porsche735" Your situation was my ticket to fixing my 15 month problem I have been constantly trying to figure out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)