Vacuum advance on stock engines - Yea or nay?

[commando1]

The diaphram in my '76 440 distributer is shot.
The engine already has had the cold start vacuum advance sensor removed.
What do you think?
Spend the 55 bucks for a Cardone rebuilt or live without the vacuum advance all together?
This debate has gone on for a zillion years and I still am undecided... :yes_no:

 

[1978 NYB]

I would spend the money..... or snag one off a pre lean burn distributor in a junk yard.

 

[commando1]

or snag one off a pre lean burn distributor in a junk yard.

You mean all the ones with the brittle and cracked diaphram?

 

[Wollfen]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=45416&cc=1065563

 

[1978 NYB]

You mean all the ones with the brittle and cracked diaphram?

Take your hand held vacuum pump...if it holds it holds.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Just buy a regular one off of something without the wire they are still available new, but be warned they come with like no tension and will advance like twenty five degrees at almost no vacuum. The fix is a 3/32 allen wrench in the vacuum nipple turn ccw about 3-3.5 turns good to start with you can release tension by turning back cw until engine starts to surge that will be just past your max tighten (ccw) till that goes away and you should be good because detonation is not really a issue for your stock engine. should only be connected to ported spark advance, it will save your rings and oil and return better mpg, no reason to not have it connected

 

[commando1]

After thinking about it some more I got the Cardone unit.
First of all, I will not find one in a junk yard anymore. What century you still living in, Bob?
Any still in a junkyard will have at the least a very old diaphragm waiting to pop.
And I was planning to do the adjustment regardless.
But good to bring that up for those that don't know about it.

 

[saforwardlook]

I consider vacuum advance to be essential to a reasonable running engine and there is no downside that I can see. The savings in fuel will pay for the unit in very short time and your valves will last much longer for it. That car already has dismal mileage, as we all know with its low compression engine and a lot of heft to pull around.