Centrifical advance

(Assuming you've got the US dual distributor arrangement) The first quickie check is to just put a timing light on #1 (and then #5) and verify/check how the advance moves with RPM, the smoothness of motion, how the rate of change between RPM and advance matches, etc.. Another big clue would be if your idle timing on either bank has changed significantly (assuming that you know what they were the last time they were set/measured).

Do a search on "308 distributor mark" -- should get you the majority of what's here on the subject (without being too much).

But to verify (and to make the repair/refreshening of the distributor itself in a practical way, if needed), you'll need a distributor machine or hire a Shop equipped with one.

 

When I do anything like that on my distributor, I always reset the timing from scratch. Cleaning and reassembly with the thing in the car may be more trouble than it's worth, and I can't believe you'd be able to do as good a job. You *might* be able to mark the positions and get it close enough when you reinstall, but I wouldn't count on it.

It's a worthwhile skill to learn to time the car and it's not too hard. Not having a twin ignition system I'll also refer you to the archives to explain how to do it.

As for mapping the advance, this is a more technical skill. A machine is best. You can get your buddy to sit in the car and rev in 1000 RPM intervals and check with the light how much advance you have. You must either mark the flywheel in different colors of white out or get a light that you can dial the advance and use the 0 mark (those are way cool and worth the extra money!). If it's wrong you start playing with weights, springs or bending little bits. I wouldn't do this on a Ferrari distributor if I've never done it before, especially the bending part!

Then the question arises: what kind of advance curve is best for your car and style of driving? You'll need to find that out. On mine car, I have the static advance just short of pinging which is 11 degrees. I advance to 38 degrees at 5000 RPMs. This may or may not work for you!

Ken

 

Here is what the parts look like this is a NOS distributor I have. I had one freeze up and took it apart and found it had been tinkered with a PO removing some springs etc. I used Bosch distributor grease to re-assemble & replaced the top bearing. If you are careful it is easy to clean and replace the parts just do a few at a time. I have a distributor machine a soon I am going to try to start setting up some for my friends but i am not at that stage yet!

i would definitely clean and re-grease them, they are easy to take off just go to PM1-4 and mark the points where the rotors point. Now would be a good time to relace any wire and clean the cap use a womens finger emery or brass brush to clean up the contacts, maybe new rotors and points!
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