Mechanical advance help needed.

[Phoenix440]

Hi all,
I am trying an old single point distributor after having timing problems with the cheap ready to run distributor that came with my car.
Will be upgrading in the next few months but want to try and make this work for now.
There appears to be some play somewhere, but not noticeable with distributor out.
The diistributor advances mechanically and resets, but does not return with the rotor lining up with a plug contact on the cap. You need to move the last few degrees by hand with the unit sitting in the drive gear. So I am.having trouble setting the timing as the advance resets but the rotor doesn't reset all the way.
Was thinking there must be wear in the intermediate distributor drive, but play seems very minimal.
the vacuum advance doesn't seem to work, bot sure if there is any connection, the whole thing seems quite stiff - was going to run with mechanical advance to get me by for a few months.
Anyone experienced this before?
Any help much appreciated.
I did record a video, may make the issue clearer, will upload to youtube.

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

You need to take it apart and get rid of the petroleum grease on the advance cam, just light engine oil needed. Very common issue.

 

[lewtot184]

Take it apart and do a thorough cleaning. I reassemble with light grease but some type of oil should work. Don't get too liberal with the lubricant.

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Synthetic is all I use wont gum up in the future or heat.

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

From the web knew the superbees had it.
The 1972 Mopar 440-6, also known as the 440 Six-Barrel or 440+6, was a high-performance engine available in Plymouth Road Runners and Super Bees:

 

[snakeoil24]

Take it apart and do a thorough cleaning. I reassemble with light grease but some type of oil should work. Don't get too liberal with the lubricant.

No grease light oil only

 

[RJRENTON]

Synthetic is all I use wont gum up in the future or heat.

I agree.....disassemble, clean and use sparingly Synthetic grease on the distributor shaft, the advance plate/cam assembly, on the advance weight pivots and a VERY LIGHT coating on the advance weight slots. There should be NO shaft runout with the shaft and housing (TIR). The vacuum advance arm attaches to the breaker plate, to allow the breaker plate to rotate slightly (opposite that of normal shaft rotation), when ported vacuum is applied to the vacuum diaphragm. Remember to reinstall the snap ring and felt......just my opinion....
BOB RENTON

 

[Phoenix440]

Thanks everyone for the ideas . Will clean and lube and see if that fixes the problem.

 

[lewtot184]

No grease light oil only

do it your way , I'll do it mine
I used to work at the factory that made them.

 

[snakeoil24]

ok im sure you had a good grease to use

 

[RJRENTON]

do it your way , I'll do it mine
I used to work at the factory that made them.

Very true.....just like picking one's nose, left hand or right hand, or, at the end of one's Daly Constitutional, some use the folded paper method, some use the crumpled paper method. Some use the back to front technique, some use the opposite method....it just depends on what works for you......just a thought.....
BOB RENTON

 

[Geoff 2]

What model Phoenix?

 

[RJRENTON]

What model Phoenix?

Something cryptic????? Was it the Pontiac Phoenix with 2.8 L V6 or the Phoenix Bird that rose from its own ashes to fly again...??? Just curious.....inquiring minds want to know......
BOB RENTON

 

[RemCharger]

Something cryptic????? Was it the Pontiac Phoenix with 2.8 L V6 or the Phoenix Bird that rose from its own ashes to fly again...??? Just curious.....bob wans to know......
BOB RENTON

Flight of the Phoenix

 

[RJRENTON]

Flight of the Phoenix

Ahhhh the movie.....but which one....with Jimmy Stewart or the later one with Dennis Quaid???? Never heard of the car....
BOB RENTON

 

[WileE]

Ahhhh the movie.....but which one....with Jimmy Stekwart or the later one with Dennis Quaid???? Never heard of the car....
BOB RENTON

Dodge Phoenix was an Australian car, from down-under. Very few shipped to north America, since they arrived upside-down.

 

[Geoff 2]

I owned many Dodge Phoenix's, including this model, for 16 yrs.