Vacuum capsule on distributor question...

[pope]

Its a three pronged fork that is bolted to the engine block and points forward. It is left of the crank pully and below the water pump. NO numbers!

[rlux4]

Which manual did you get from IAP? I have the Brooklands and the Clymer, of these two the Clymer is a little better on this issue. It has a section that is specific to the 2.0 litre years.
Here's a picture of my timing tab, the bottom arrow it 10°, middle is 5°, and the top is TDC (0°) If your tab hasn't been removed, you have to look under/around the thermostat to see it.

Ron

[RoadRacer]

Thanks Ron..... I see the part of the tab that has the circle. I might have to remove the timing cover to see the rest of the tab with the prongs. It looks like you have your cover removed in the picture.

[So Cal Mark]

no need to remove the cover, the tab is clearly visible

[rlux4]

Nope. My cover is on, I just held the camera low into the engine bay. You should be able to see the whole thing by bending down and looking behind and below the thermostat.
Ron

[RoadRacer]

Isee it! I see it! Thank you for your help.... Just one more silly question, where do you hook up your positive lead from the timing light? Do I run an extension from trunk?

[RoadRacer]

Also.......... Which prong is 10 degrees? The larger, top? middle or bottom?

[rlux4]

I use the battery post on the starter for the 12V source. The bottom arrow is 10° BTDC. You'll find that the round hole lines up with this nicely, as this is where the notch in the pullley will show up.
Ron

[bobcity]

I'd like to jump in with a question of my own. Having the same problem. Is my 79 2000 vacuum capsule just as replaceable as this one? I can't find anything for my year except the dizzy and vacuum capsule together.
Anyone know?

[So Cal Mark]

yes, it's exactly the same

[rlux4]

I replaced mine a while back, and the new one blew the diaphragm out in about three months. I capped off the vacuum line and run without it now, and honestly, I can't tell the difference in performance.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

sounds like your butt dyno needs calibration! Seriously, the vacuum advance works under light load/high vacuum situations so it affects fuel mileage more than performance. Expect about a 10% drop if mileage without the vacuum unit working. But then if you drive with a heavy foot it won't make much difference.

[RoadRacer]

I ended up taking the dizzy out to change the Vacuum advance. Everything went back together without any problems.... (I had confidence, because I have removed and replaced quite a few dizzys in my time).... I set the timming to the lower smaller arrow pointer and then advanced it about a 1/8 inch beyond that (however many degrees 1/8" is?). Sounds and starts like a champ. I will take it for a test run today.... It was raining all day yesterday.

Thank you all for your advise which helped me get through this dilemma.......

[rlux4]

Well, all right! Congratulations.
Ron