So, my ignition vacuum advance has decided to no longer hold vacuum. Most likely already kaput when I bought the car (you don't really notice anything while driving). I believe these units are no longer available.
Can these be rebuild? Any one now a place in Europe? I am in the Netherlands.
Thanks in advance.
Yes, they can be rebuild. In Europe? I don't know. Terrill Machine in Texas can rebuild them, but they have a rather long delay.
Promise you, once you install a working vacuum advance, you'll notice the difference immediately, especially as you modulate the accelerator--- the engine will run much better from a dead stop, and when you initially start the car, it will sound "stronger." As you stated, "you don't really notice anything while you're driving"--- and yes, the vacuum advance is essentially "at rest" when you're not engaging the traffic pump on the carburetor. You;ll also realize a fuel savings, and your engine's timing will now be property tuned with the carburetor. CHeck to see if another model vacuum advance will fit your distributor...I have an old 8 cyclinder 65 year old obsolete boat motor with a Presolite distributor that called for a return spring inside of the advance--- the original replacement is not available, but I "rolled the dice" and matched up an advance that "fit" the distributor (holes for screws-- length of arm and bracket, etc.) I did the match using pictures and then parts specification as I narrowed down the selection process. I had to create a shim that's a couple of millimeters of thickness to make all of the interior geometry line up. Made my "work a round" in 2009, and that ancient engine starts and runs perfectly... If you're up to being creative and have time to experiment, I think you can find a "near match" that can work.Hope this helps, James
Thanks for the replies guys.
@Roger: What do you mean exactly with a long delay? Does it take weeks, months before they return the rebuild unit?
@James: Thank you for the tip. However, I believe that the vacuum units are not see easily interchanged as the advance curve needs to be similar to get optimum performance.
I have sent Terril Machine a message. Apparantly they do not have a website.
The last time I sent one, I got it back after about 2 months. By sending it now, you will get it just in time for the driving season!
This is correct, Terrill Machine has no website.