OK, I am using a "dial back" timing light. My HEI has a Mr Gasket advance curve kit with very light springs. WIth the cap and rotor off, the weights seem to move just fine. WIth the car at idle, it shows about 8 degrees. At 1500 rpm it goes to 12 degrees. At 2,500 I am only getting about 15 degrees advance. I am thinking that I might have stupidly installed the center plate the wrong way, but I am not sure. Why is my mech advance not advancing? I am not currently using vac. advance at all. Thanks for the advice!
Andrew, if you install the center plate backwards, it is possible to install the weights backward also. Are they oriented like in the picture?
Thanks, Larry! I am using an HEI, but I believe that those excellent pictures will help me. I didn't realize that I could have installed the weights backwards, too! I will check it out and report back. Hey, there is one good thing going on here: IF I get this fixed and the curve is dialed in right, than the car gets even faster!
No, thats for a distributor that rotates counter-clockwise. A Buick distributor rotates clock-wise. Points distributor, or HEI, doesn't mater. The weights should open in a clockwise direction.
OK, well that owner messed up. It is a dist for a 455 Buick. I'll use the points pic shown above and compare it to how mine is set up. If I get confused, which is likely, I'll post a pic of my current set up. Thanks again!
Your weights are on backwards. The pointed parts of the weights should fit into the indentations of the centerplate.
hey andrew how did you do with your distributor.I'm having the same problem and if Iflip my weights over they won't rest on the little plastic pads. just doesn't look right.If you can figure it out could you post a picture. Mike
Andrew, The weights are on backwards. Just flip them over. Print out the picture I posted, it should be obvious. The distributor turns clockwise, the weights should open in a clockwise direction.
Thanks again, Larry. I will try that. Are we saying that the center plate is ok? I'll flip the weights and take another pic. SOme are saying that the center plate is upside down. I'll try the weights first.
The center plate is not upside down. Buicks rotate clockwise and the weights should be on the trailing edge of the centerplate so they pull outward with the rotation. PLus you may need a heavier spring because you may now get some mechanical advance at idle with the light springs. :TU:
Center plate is fine, just turn the weights upside down, and they will go on right. Weights must open in a clockwise direction.
Like so? OK, I ended up having to turn the center plate over in order so that the weights coule be installed this way. Otherwise, the fat side of the weights would have not been able to glide over the plastic wear pads underneath as they move. How's it look now? Thanks!!
Ditto on the heavier springs. I know we want the advance to come in quickly but you have to make sure that you are not advancing at idle. You can start with a heavy set of springs and then go to the lighter ones when you have the timing set.
Yes. As it sits right now, the mechanism isn't even returning to zero mechanical by itself - just sitting there. I'll see if a stronger spring will help it to do so. The springs don't seem to have a lot of mechanical advantage (leverage) to be able to return to zero advance. Maybe the spinning dist (when the engine is running) takes care of that?
Sorry, but it's still backwards. I believe you have the wrong center plate, and or weights on that Distributor. They only fit on one way. Where did you get that distributor from?
Wow, that bites. The dist is a 455 piece, from a Riv. The weights and center piece are Mr Gasket. I do have a Moroso kit hanging around. I'll see how that compares. Is there a difference between advance weights Chevy Vs Buick? Thanks!
