Distributor lubrication - advance/retard balance weights

[Andy 308GTB]

I have traced an ignition problem back to the advance/retard balance weights. What grease was in there had either been flung out and had hardened or gone very sticky.

I'm going to degrease the mechanism and was planning to apply the bare minimum of lithium grease to the moving parts. The mechanism will be rotating at 3,000 rpm so any excess would simply be thrown off. However, I did read one source that suggested that for their vehicles (Corvettes IIRC) the came out of the factory with no lube at all.

Anyone with any experience in this area?

[E-bmw]

I would have thought none required, so perhaps dry-lube at the most.

[GreenV8S]

I've never seen any visible grease on these. Maybe your problem was caused by some well meaning person adding it where not required.

[Andy 308GTB]

GreenV8S said:

I've never seen any visible grease on these. Maybe your problem was caused by some well meaning person adding it where not required.

Thanks both!

The guy who set the advance curve some 7 or 8 years ago is an absolute expert in this area. But I can't see where else it could have come from.
This mechanism getting stuck certainly made the impact of advance/retard on an engine crystal clear!

[Polly Grigora]

The bob weights should be lubricated with a little lubricating oil, engine oil does do the job without causing any problems

[paintman]

Quick look at the factory manual for 3.5/3.9 Range Rover Classics says on their auto advance mechanisms "Apply Omnilube 2 (or equivalent) grease".

[Andy 308GTB]

Thanks for the unanimous answer

I now feel like Indecisive Dave:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmTahAali90

2 or 3 posts in I ordered up a can of Dry PTFE Lube... now I'm wondering about the Omnilube 2 grease (Food safe "It is Kosher and Pareve approved, as well as Halal certified.")

I guess the answer is to try something and take a look in a year or two, it's not that difficult to get off the car. But it's something that isn't a natural thing to check, like gearbox oil - you tend to fill it up and forget about it.

[paintman]

Andy 308GTB said:

Thanks for the unanimous answer

I now feel like Indecisive Dave:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmTahAali90

2 or 3 posts in I ordered up a can of Dry PTFE Lube... now I'm wondering about the Omnilube 2 grease (Food safe "It is Kosher and Pareve approved, as well as Halal certified.")

I guess the answer is to try something and take a look in a year or two, it's not that difficult to get off the car. But it's something that isn't a natural thing to check, like gearbox oil - you tend to fill it up and forget about it.

I looked it up just before I posted & that bit made me smile too.
I've always preferred to wash my hands before eating my sandwiches though!

[Polly Grigora]

Andy 308GTB said:

Thanks for the unanimous answer

I now feel like Indecisive Dave:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmTahAali90

2 or 3 posts in I ordered up a can of Dry PTFE Lube... now I'm wondering about the Omnilube 2 grease (Food safe "It is Kosher and Pareve approved, as well as Halal certified.")

I guess the answer is to try something and take a look in a year or two, it's not that difficult to get off the car. But it's something that isn't a natural thing to check, like gearbox oil - you tend to fill it up and forget about it.

Have repaired and lubricated many distributors in the past, horrible task at times but had no choice as it paid the wages once upon a time when a nipper

Lubricating or engine oil was always used and not one dizzy failed over several years

Hope to have saved you some dosh

Andy 308GTB said:

2 or 3 posts in I ordered up a can of Dry PTFE Lube

Oooops just read the above

As long as the lube prevents oxidisation am sure it will be ok

PTFE is the dogs bks

Edited by Polly Grigora on Thursday 31st March 10:51