new distributor - rusted mechanical advance

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joelspider
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2018 10:29 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider 124

new distributor - rusted mechanical advance

Postby joelspider » Sat Mar 31, 2018 1:47 pm

My mechanical advance on my 1978 spider is rusted. I mean really rusted. No wonder I was having a hard time timing it. In any case, I am considering changing the distributor to a set up without points. Any recommendations. I don't want to spend a fortune. Alternatively, can I purchase just the mechanical advance? Thoughts. What would you do? It is a street car that I'm working on with my son. Thanks for your help.

FordPrefect
Posts: 245
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 1:16 pm
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat Spider 124

Re: new distributor - rusted mechanical advance

Postby FordPrefect » Wed Apr 18, 2018 10:01 pm

I recently had my mechanical advance seize up, it's pretty simple to pull apart, clean, lube, and rebuild.

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nelsonj
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:37 pm
Your car is a: 1972 Spider 124

Re: new distributor - rusted mechanical advance

Postby nelsonj » Thu Apr 19, 2018 2:00 am

Vick's has really reasonable prices on new dizzy's set for electronic ignition. I'd at least call them to see what a full change over would cost.

Peace.
Out.
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Simi Valley, California
Spider 1800
Romans 10:9

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lglade
Patron 2018
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Posts: 327
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:05 am
Your car is a: 1984 Pininfarina
Location: Mukilteo, WA

Re: new distributor - rusted mechanical advance

Postby lglade » Thu Apr 19, 2018 2:41 am

There's a video or two out there on rebuilding a Fiat distributor. It's not very hard to do and gives you some great insight as to how they work. Even if you decide to replace the dizzy, you might tear it down and see if you can clean it up, replacing the bearings and seals along the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7_6_PsweOk
Lloyd Glade- Mukilteo, WA
1984 Pininfarina Spider Azzurra
1962 Fiat 500D - wife's car
2015 Subaru Outback
2017 Ford Focus RS

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chrisg
Posts: 746
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:30 am
Your car is a: 1971 FIAT

Re: new distributor - rusted mechanical advance

Postby chrisg » Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:19 am

cleaning it up & installing a Pertronix trigger/changing coil would be a nice, simple way to go. That has the advantage of in theory at least retaining the proper advance curve for the engine. That said, the late 1800 advance curve may be pretty lousy for a sports car.
Chris Granju
Knoxville, TN
'71 FIAT 124BS (pretty), '72 FIAT 124BC,'76 FIAT 128 Wagon(ratbeast), '85 Bertone X 1/9, '70 124BC (project), 79 X1/9 (hot rod in rehab), '73 124BS (2L, mean), '74 124 Special TC, '73 124CS, '73 124 Familiare

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Yadkin
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:08 pm
Your car is a: 1974 Spider
Location: Pisgah National Forest, NC

Re: new distributor - rusted mechanical advance

Postby Yadkin » Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:21 pm

FordPrefect wrote:I recently had my mechanical advance seize up, it's pretty simple to pull apart, clean, lube, and rebuild.

This. Phosphorus acid (diet Coke) works well for taking off light rust. I've used Muriatic on heavier rust and made parts look brand new. The trick is recoating to prevent rapid rust-over.


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