Vacuum advance is dead....aftermarket distributors any good?

Steve-o

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2020
Messages
54
Reaction score
25
Location
Cedar park, Texas
So after A LOT of research (found some great posts with part numbers and stuff on here thanks) Nearest I can figure a new vacuum advance is $80-$125. I was planning on buying a Pertronix for it anyways....so why not just buy a whole new distributor? Unless they suck Chinese balls.
I have been running points for 30+ years in my old 6 volt VWs and have no issues, but in the 12volt cars I run Pertronix or Compufire. Never an issue and some of these modules are 20 years old with daily driver use. I do keep points and condenser in the tool bag just in case.

Anyways......
The cost difference is negligible at this point so the question is are the aftermarket complete distributors just as crappy for Plymouth as they are for VW?
It's a 68 Fury III 383 with 2 barrel. I was looking at Pertronix D142700 which is $277
but I have seen generic ones as low as $69 (obviously not gonna buy that one)

What experiences do you guys have?
 
There are plenty of great aftermarket distributors out there made by many manufacturers. Biggest thing to consider is just don't buy one and drop it in make sure it has or can be curved to your needs. Run from the cheap one wire ones they are like the MP ones go full advanced fast. Great for a track, daily not so much. Same with store rebuilds, they are made to fit lets say a ten year span so you just don't know what you will end up with. So bottom line do your research first and pay once. Now yes vac advances are getting up there, especially B/RB. NOS does not necessarily means it is good the diaphragms are very old. I have been burned by 250 dollar advances being bad out of the box and no returns. I actually get Most rebuilt now just for that reason. Petronix I, I love them no issues at all. If it fails it is right out of the box so far. I am a numbers guy myself so I build them back to oem specs but can also do curves with all oem parts, no grinding welding for me they seem to hang up in the slots. Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
So after A LOT of research (found some great posts with part numbers and stuff on here thanks) Nearest I can figure a new vacuum advance is $80-$125.

I was in that situation a few years ago and was about to give up. But I lucked up and found a like-new looking one in a box of vacuum advance canisters at a local swap meet (ignition parts guy). Cost me $5.

I know it's a weird year for shows/swap meets, but if your distributor is in good shape and you have time to look, I suggest hunting for one.

Also, the new stuff is junk unless you spend big.
 
Here is the one I have. I found some that the arm looks like this but the can doesnt and I dont know how many different variations there are of this style.

upload_2020-10-29_20-42-19.png

upload_2020-10-29_20-43-7.png
 
PM Halifaxhops with your particulars and distributor tag numbers if you have it. He can fix you up.

He already sent me a message, thanks! I couldn't figure out how to post pics to the PM so I just dropped them here. I would much rather use the OG distributor but weighing out options.
 
He already sent me a message, thanks! I couldn't figure out how to post pics to the PM so I just dropped them here. I would much rather use the OG distributor but weighing out options.
You're in good hands.
 
Tons of variations. Inside arm, curved outside arm, adjustable, non adjustable and that is just that style. Can you see a number stamped on the arm? Like 8l or 9.5 L etc? To send pictures in a message you need to be a gold member.
 
@halifaxhops Are you rebuilding these canisters? It looks like you joined the site about a year or two after I had to hunt down a replacement. I might should to pick up a spare.
 
I have a guy that does them just foir me out of his house. Older gent did restorations for years and still has the equipment. He ran into me at Carlisle and offered the service. . He is fantastic. They pass 100 point inspections because they have the right numbers, the repops are not stamped. I ask 85 for the non old/dual points. All new diaphragms made of neopream not rubber.
 
Here's some more pics for everyone following along. The distributor has been "rebuilt" at some point. It's been sandblasted and there is sand all under the advance plate where the 3 bushings are. I'll polish this all up and made sure it slides easily. I'm guessing this is why the vacuum died (other than age). The advance plate was very hard to turn by hand let alone a vacuum signal from a carb. I am concerned now that the advance weight springs are either incorrect or in the wrong places. The car ran great on the 4 hour ride home from picking it up. Just had ZERO off the line acceleration. Vacuum advance and timing is my first thought and was accurate but there is more to it. Vacuum can has no numbers, not surprised since it was "rebuilt". Is this the original distributor for this car or just some rando one that fits the hole? Would like to know for future parts getting...
Thanks everyone!
upload_2020-10-30_19-28-23.png

upload_2020-10-30_19-28-55.png
upload_2020-10-30_19-29-36.png

upload_2020-10-30_19-35-30.png
 
Steve? Hate to say this you might have some other stuff going on with that looks like the small spring was changed looks blue. Good thing it is not a store rebuilt it does not have the numbers shaved off.
 
I figured there was some shenanigans going on here....
Better pic of the springs for reference. They both appear to be a regular metal color.
Whatever ti takes to get this right and done once...I'm all for it.

upload_2020-10-31_8-25-44.png
upload_2020-10-31_8-26-23.png
 
Back
Top