Distributor Questions

if you want to abbreviate distributor, dist. seems more normal than "dizzy." And what else have you checked as per your overheating problems? Lots of things could cause overheating before a distributor.

Your distributor also has a mechanical advance mechanism in it, in addition to the vacuum advance. Get a timing light, and check to see if it's advancing, when you rev it up. Do this before assuming that it's the problem, it'll save you money in the long run. Even though you aren't losing coolant, doesn't mean the head gaskets are OK, they could still be installed backwards and cause the motor to overheat.

I say check the timing first, like D.Hearne said, since it's free. I don't think i'd run a 195 degree t-stat on the street though. 180 would be more appropriate. Is this a duraspark distributor, or a points dizzy with a pertronix kit? I think "dizzy" is just fine. As for the centrifugal advance only, I don't think you'd want one (i knew you had to be a VW/porsche guy with that question). Vacuum advance is a good thing on these motors. putting in a new thermostat is easy and putting in a "dizzy" is easy too-- but you need to figure out which one you have first.

I personally doubt that your problem is with your distributor, or your timing, but it never hurts to check... Are you sure the vacuum advance is connected to the correct port on your carb?

Next check your lower radiator hose to be sure it has an internal support spring. If not, it may well be collapsing and causing the overheating (very common problem).

Finally, I would change to a 180 degree and try to find some "water-wetter" to add to the antifreeze. It will lower temps by up to 20% and olny costs $8.95.

phinkel26 said:

ok, how should I go about checking the advance curve on the distributor? just time it at idle and while looking at the light and the timing marks see what........ What exactly should I be looking for? Also, I have free time comming my way and am thinking of pulling the heads just to check them out for cracks, and clean them. How can I tell if the head gasket is on backwards? When i replace the gasket do i need any type of sealent or apply dry? Also anything specific i need to worry or pay special attention too while pulling the head.

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You don't really need to check the advance curve, just check to see if the advance is working, don't dig yourself into more problems than you've got now. All it takes to check the advance is hokking up a timing light, starting the motor, then using the light, rev it to see if the timing advances on the balancer. If it doesn't move then, the mechanism in the dist may be stuck or the vacuum isn't hooked up or it's blocked. Either way it should still move even without the advance hooked up, due to the mech. advance in the dist. I'd also say that if your heads were cracked, you'd be loosing coolant. As for the head gaskets being backwards, that will be obvious once you pull the heads, the first two coolant ports in the deck face should be covered by the gasket, the rearmost ones should be open. The coolant is supposed to flow all the way to the rear of the block before going up into the heads and then back through the heads to the intake. I would also check the thermostat to see if it's worknig correctly.