need mech. adv. springs (they're broken)

floater3

Cadet
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
10
I have '84 volvo 5.7 with I believe a Prestolite distributor. The advance springs are both broken. Where Can I find these??? If I go with a electric conversion kit, will I still need them? (its a point type distributor). Thank You.
 

thrasher

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
443
Re: need mech. adv. springs (they're broken)

It will depend on the type of electronic ignition that you fit, but the vast majority will need the mechanical advance to work correctly, so yes you need to fit new springs..
Sorry I don't know where to get the parts..

Gary
 

JustJason

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 27, 2007
Messages
5,321
Re: need mech. adv. springs (they're broken)

may take some digging around and they may have to order them but a napa is a pretty good bet
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: need mech. adv. springs (they're broken)

Without out a shop that can spin up the DIS and test that the advance curve is correct with the new springs it can be very hit and miss even if you find OEM springs



Tommays
 

djvan

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 3, 2003
Messages
411
Re: need mech. adv. springs (they're broken)

If you can find them you are GOOD. I looked for about 3 months and finally replaced distributor with a delco remy.

Found several "Oh that's the same spring as in --------" but without being able to spin the distributor and check the curve against the specs, I didn't feel comfortable going by "he said she said" info.

Now maybe if you live in a big city, check out the local "hot rod" shops they may have a way to spin your setup and get you springs.

DougV>
 

Robj

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 22, 2007
Messages
1,441
Re: need mech. adv. springs (they're broken)

If you cannot finf a shop to check the advance curve, how hard would it be to install the springs yourself and then check the curve? How I would do this is at 500 or even 1000 rpm increments check the timing, maybe up to 3500 rpm, note the advance and then plot it on a graph versus rpm. You would need to know what the specs are to compare, and getting that information may be the hardest part. So if you find the right spring, do this little test to ensure it is the correct one. That is all a distributor shop would do.

Have a great day,

Rob.
 
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