Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I need to replace the vacuum canister on the distributor. I assume I will have to take it off the car to replace it right? Either way, can somebody give me a step by step to do this. Never took one apart.
You can do it without pulling the distributor. Pull the cap off so you can see inside. Remove the 2 screws holding the canister to the distributor. Pull on the cannister out to move the advance plate (attached to the canister via the arm and short stub on the tip) and drop the stub out of the plate and remove.
You should be able to do it in the car as long as you can get to the screws that hold it onto the distributor. Here is a removal of one on a Mallory distributor and should be similar to what you have. All are pretty much the same for the exception of the fastener inside that holds the arm on. Some don't have a fastener at all.
If it is a Prestolite,you'll have a hard time doing it in the car.The little clip that attaches the arm to the pin on the breaker plate is not the easiest thing to remove and as small as it is you can lose it quicker than you can imagine.
You will probably have to gently pull up on the top plate with a pick or something to get the tit to clear the hole it is in. May need a phillips bit inserted in a ratchet wrench to get one of the screws loose depending on how the distributor is sitting also.