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Re: Distributor Mechanical Advance Springs????

To: JRoss123 <JRoss123@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Distributor Mechanical Advance Springs????
From: Robert J Donahue/DELCO <RJDONAHU@mail.delcoelect.com>
Date: Tue, 07 May 1996 13:23:45 +0000
My TD has this big spring, small spring deal. But I don't understand
how it works. Is the small spring supposed to be shorter than the
big one, so that the small spring stretches out before the slack
of the big one is taken up? Or does each weight operate independently
of the other? Can the springs be swapped from side to side? I put 
new ones on and I don't know if I put them in the same position
as the old ones.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Donahue, Still stuck in the '50s
1953 MG-TD
1971 MGB


>>>Does anyone know if it's possible to order replacement springs for the
>>>centrifugal weights inside Lucas distributors?  When I opened mine up,
>>>there were two different springs.  I would think they'd be the same, eh?
>>
>>Oddly enough, my experience, backed by the best mechanic I know, is that
>>the springs are indeed different.  Anyone out there know otherwise?  YMMV,
>>my experience is limited to my cars...  sf
>
>Yes they are different.  The reason is the advance curve "jumps out" at low
>RPM using the weeker spring then flatins out using the stronger spring.
>              DEG            
>                              |                              _
>                              |                 _     -     Strong spring
>                        
>                              |        _  -
>                              |     /
>                              |   /
>                              | /    Weak spring
>                              |/___________________________       
>                                RPM
>
>The reason for this is that the engine need most of its avance above 2000 RPM
>and need verry litte advance at idle.  This also helps stop knocking at at
>low RPM like when pulling away from stop light and such.
>
>
>                                       John Ross

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