Does this spring look correct....?

[Mfr426]

Hello all, I've been having some issues with my 505 stroker since the end of last summer. Ron's been helping me try to diagnose this problem and I continue to be finding little things that don't appear right and could be causing my poor idle, pinging and odd timing issues. Most recently I pulled the distributor out to check the mechanical advance. It appears that my mechanical advance is not working correctly. I have no advance when I rev the motor. The thing is timed at about 15* initially and does not advance when I hit the trottle. I have the vacuum plugged.

Here is a shot of my new MP electronic distributor with the star wheel and top plate removed. The spring closest is the heavier one and is literally loose on the post (see arrow). The lighter spring has tension but the heavier one actually extends past the tab and is loose.

Can anyone confirm this is "normal" and/or does anyone have a pic of their springs and if there should be tension on both springs. I don't want to reassemble this only to find out it's bad.

Thanks for any help on this one.

Mike R in Reading PA

[Nacho-RT74]

yes. Stock piece is the same. I think the other spring make softer curve untill get that spring load and this one limits a harder advance curve given by a harder spring. Dunno If my explanation was clearly enough OR correctly posted.

You can change the springs setup to customize the curve. Kits are being sold around.

[Mfr426]

Nacho, I believe you are saying that yes...that spring "overhang" is normal? If so, that's good news and one less issue to take off of my check list.

Thanks for the reply.

Mike R in Reading PA

[Nacho-RT74]

I never dissasembled my MP dist to check if is on that way on mine, but is a fact that springs setup is present on the stock dist at list to make a diff curve progression as far counterweights are opening with intertia... quick curve advance on the first advance and then when second spring is catched, next advance process is slower because spring is harder.

some like that

I think this explains better what I tried to say on first reply 

[Mfr426]

I followed your first reply better. 

I guess I'm still wondering if the heavy spring should be THAT loose. If the radius on the spring end was not as tight as it is it would slip off off of the tab. I guess once the car starts the slack is immediately taken up on the spring but just wanted someone who has opened up their MP electronic distributor up to make that call.

Anyone done that and can post a pick or an opinion?

Thanks in advance.

Mike R

[Nacho-RT74]

both counter weights moves at the same time even if they had one spring because both are linked. The purpouse for the elongated end of second spring is because once the soft and first spring is stretched with a free movemevent of the elongated end of the secondary spring. Once the inertia gets the the secondary spring elongated hole catched, this one beging its work acomplishing the first spring.

try to make the mechanical advance manually, moving the rotor on shaft and you will see how does work.

Sorry, I don't have better and technical words to describe it better LOL 

yes is THAT loose. Easy to pop out but just if you try... won't loose by itself or with the inertia. Trying to pop out is easy to tell the step that keeps in place. Inertia is a horizontal movement not vertical, so won't jump out by itself

[Mfr426]

Yep, I sure understand that description. Thanks for the help. Back in the unit goes and we'll move on to troubleshooting item #35.