Distibutor question

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone, yet another question now that the car is on the road

I was reading through the forums and saw that distributor vacuum diaphrams are known to rot. Well my car has been running like crud from red lights and stop lights and whenever i accelerate so i figured i'd give it a shot. (I have a '65 200, good ole load-o dizzy) so i started the car, disconnected the vacuum line from my carb that leads to the dizzy, and gave it a good suck, and there wasn't any resistance, nor was there a change in idle. I'm assuming that this is what is causing (or one of the many problems causing) my stuttering off the line. Is there any way to fix this besides replacing the whole distributor. is there any way to remove and replace just the diaphram and if so could someone send me a link for a how-to, or at least an order number or a place i can get it. anywhere i look i cant find just the diaphram peice.

thanks for all the help!

 

[JackFish]

You can buy the cannisters, but I don't think your test is an accurate one.
One could probably suck a vacuum of 4lbs or so, but that's about where the advance starts to kick in, and the difference might not be perceptible at that point. If you plug the line, take it for a spin and see if it feels less peppy, then it probably works OK.

 

[Anonymous]

oh yea, i forgot to add that part. i did remove the line fromt he distributor and and block it at the carb and took it for a spin around the block, and it drove essentially the same as when it was attached, sluggish off the line with any attempt at a heavy acceleration. sorry bout that, and thx

also on another note, when i did try to suck up a small vacuum into the distributor, i coudln't get any resistance to create a vacuum, it was the same as if i were to suck in at one end of a hose with the other unplugged

 

[JackFish]

Oh yah, it's fubar.

 

[cfmustang]

Available at most autoparts stores.

I did a quick check on Advance Auto Parts website (using 1966 200 - same as 1965) and found this:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=209&ptset=A&searchfor=Vacuum+Advance

 

[Anonymous]

yeah, I changed my diaphram when it went bad...fairly easy. I got my part thru NPD because they knew what they were talking about and I didnt....if you dont know the part you need by sight, AutoZone etc sometimes does know either

good luck

 

[Anonymous]

thanks for the partsamerica link, i looked all over that site and couldn't find what i was looking for. to replace it do i just remove those 2 screws on the outside of the dizzy, and then remove the stuff on the inside and unlatch it?

 

[Anonymous]

yep

 

[Anonymous]

Take it with you to the parts store to compare it to the picture--they usually have to order the older ones. It sometimes takes a little imagination to look up this part and there are several very similar so the old 1 in hand is needed. Good news --about $12-$14 and the improvement will be phenominal. No more vacuum leak AND functional timing.

 

[cfmustang]

I would also add that when given the choice of a few different parts from different manufacturers (i.e. GP Sorrenson & AC Delco), the more expensive part is not always the best.

I just had to replace my tempurature sensor last week. I saw Advance (the link I posted) had them in stock so I went to the store. There were two different models. A Delco sender for $9 and a Sorrenson for $4.

I picked up the Delco part thinking: More $ = Better.

Wrong.

It didn't even work and the post that the sender wire connects to was much thinner than the original (so the push-on connector would just fall off). I took it back and got the $4 part. Exact same dimensions and worked...

 

[Anonymous]

thats why if you cant have part in hand...call NPD or a specialty store....you WILL get the right part (well, ok...probably)

 

[cfmustang]

True. When you order from a catalog like that, you are about assured that you'll get an exact match.

Its just that when I need just one or two small engine parts, it is quicker and cheaper to go to the store. They made the 200 for so many years, you'd be suprised how many of the parts are kept in stock. You get the part that day (or maybe the next at the latest) and no shipping charges.

 

[Anonymous]

well the rain finally let up today so i got a chance to replace and run my 15 dollar vacuum control that i picked up at advance auto parts, and i must say its the best 15 dollars i've ever put into my car. It runs 100 times better than before. just wanted to thank everyone for your help. as always, i know where to come when i need some good advice

thanks again