53 belair 235 vaccum unit

so i was looking at my distr.. and i noticed that when i turn it, it just doesnt snap back like my friends 50 fleetline. it kinda just truns a little bit back, could it be the vac*** unit or where would the spring be at that makes it snap back

 

If it moves when you rev it by hand, the vacuum is ok, its just the spring.

 

I f you are turning the rotor you are moving the mechanical advance ,those springs are below the point plate.there should be a felt oil wick below the rotor,put a few drops of light oil there. If you are turning the dist. body then you are moving the vac. advance. Best way to test it is with a hand operated vac. pump ,then you can tell if "A" it works and "B" the diaphram in it holds vac.

 

so just drop a bit of oil in it and it should snap back or are spring bad?? cuz the dist.. is new

 

bump i need some more info if not pics on how to put oil in the wick. today i start my car drove to work and as soon as i got off the freeway the motor was reving high so when i pulled into work i poped the hood and rotated the dis by hand and the rpm dropped to nomal. anyone got an idea of what this is??? thanksss

 

First check the linkage of the vacuum advance and the collar that clamps on the distributor shaft.
Make sure that when turning the distributor back and forth, the flat bar of the vacuum advance moves in and out.

The spring that makes the distributor snap back is inside the vacuum advance.
Some can be unscrewed to replace the spring, others are sealed without easy access to the spring.

You can test the diaphragm of the vacuum advance for leaks by connecting a hose at the carb end of the vacuum line and just **** on it.

A working vacuum advance turns the distributor and keeps it in place under vacuum (good diaphragm) and returns when there is no vacuum (good spring).



The wick with oil helps the breaker points arm to move freely and is not directly related to your question.