I have a few inquiries if I may tap into your wealths of knowledge: 1. When I time my ignition, do I take the vacuum advance off and then put it on after setting the time? 2. I wanted to change the vacuum advance module in my points distributor, but after I removed the two screws that hold down the points onto the plate, I could not figure how to get to the module; I can see the two screws that hold it in, but no way to get to them withou removing the plate on which the points sit. Anybody know how to get this done? I am looking for a shop manual, but until then I have to work with what I have. Thanks for your time!
A 1: Yes, plug the vac advance hose up.. A 2: Use either a MityVac and pull some vacuum on the advance, or use brute strength to rotate the plate towards the advance. Both ways make the breaker plate rotate counterclockwise and you have access to both screws. Once removed, pull, slide and angle the thing until it's out.. You'll see once the screws are gone..
#2 also you can use a piece of vacume hose and just suck on it while it is hooked up to the advance. You will have to work quickly or you can try to pinch the hose is half and hope it holds the vacume you just created.
galaxie, to remove the vacuum advance, as you already have done, take the two mounting screws out, then, pull the advance outwards, this will also move the points plate, When it won't pull any more, take a screwdriver and push the pull pin out of the plate, and the cannister will then clear the housing and come out. Reverse the process to install the new advance cannister (as you out it, "module"). When setting any timing, always remove the vacuum hose from the advance, plug it, then reconnect after timing the engine is completed. I use CyberBuick's "mouth sourced testing vacuum" method all the time to test vacuum advances on the vehicle, faster than breaking out my Mity-Vac.
