hints on distributor disasssemly

[austinsailor]

I'm trying to get enough parts together to put my b1b motor in my Fargo. In trying to get a distributor working, it appears the centrifugal advance is not free in either distributor. The b1b has vacuum advance too, so I'd like to use it. I don't know how to get them apart.

I have manuals, but they don't go into that depth. Looking down in the top of the shaft there is what appears to be a little wire spring snap ring with two little wires sticking up. I'm guessing that is the keeper that holds the top with the lobes on the shaft. Since it's frozen, I don't want to just start prying and pulling, I'd probably break the thing.

Can some one tell me the steps to get it apart so I can get to the springs and weights, and the spot where it should move to advance? Once it's apart I can probably clean and lube it enough to get it going again.

[Jim Saraceno]

I think you just need to pull that spring. That will release the cam and expose the mechanical advance.

The vacuum advance can be tested by putting a vacuum pump on it and seeing if the arm moves and the diaphragm holds a vacuum.

[austinsailor]

So do you just grab one (or both) ends of that spring and pull it up, spread them apart and pull or??

Once it's out, will the part of the shaft with the lobes just pry off the main shaft?

I already checked the vacuum advance, it works. The manual has a strange way of checking it. Drive about 25 mph, hit the gas hard, and if it's working, the motor will have a brief spark knock if it's working. How's that for high tech??

I just used the vacuum method and watched.

[aero3113]

What you want to do is remove the TINY clip holding the vacuum lever on and remove the vacuum advance,then pull the screws that hold the cap clips on. I think you will also have to remove the nuts for the lead stud. Once all of this is done the breaker plate should pull right up. I did this a few months ago but forgot exactly how I did it (wasn't hard).

[austinsailor]

Ok, I'd already gotten all that out. Under it is the mechanical advance. That is what I need to get apart. The part with the lobes should rotate a small amount on the shaft coming in from the bottom as the weights swing out against the springs. Mine is stuck.

I may be able to get pictures later tonight if that doesn't make sense.

Thanks for any help.

[aero3113]

When I took mine apart I didn't have to go that far. Can you maybe soak the parts in some Aerokroil to free them up? Then use some alcohol to dry it up then lube.

[austinsailor]

Might work.

I'd like to fix it, but I just got to thinking I have 2 other motors with what should be good distributors, so it might go on the back burner if I find another is usable in the morning.

[Kevinb71]

Austin

The little wire ring with the two ends sticking up as you mentioned needs to be removed. it's not real easy but if you have a minature needle nose pliers you can get a hold on one of the ends and gently wiggle/work it up out of the groove its in. Then grab the other one and doe the same. Once you have it out of the groove it should just slide up the shaft. Then the points cam and flat plate SHOULD just pull straight up exposing the advance weights etc. Mark which side of the flat plate at the bottom of the points cam piece went to which side of the advance. Then if you want to completely clean up the dizzy there is a small roll pin at the bottom side of the housing in the shaft drive that out and the whole shaft will pull out. Hope this helps!

[austinsailor]

Thanks. It does help. I suspected that is how it came apart, but I've been wrong before.

I tried to drive out the pin in the bottom but without success. I think I need to use a small press so I don't mushroom the pin in the hole or bend the shaft.

[Jim Saraceno]

I used two very small screwdrivers to expand those two wires sticking up. Once that is out, you lift out the cam and the mechanical advance is right there.

The only reason to get the pin out is to remove the shaft. The only reason I can think to do that is if the bushings are worn and need to be replaced or the shaft is stuck. Is that happening on your dizzy?