Re: [alfa] Dead springs on Magnet Marelli advance mechanism?

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Matt:

I'm not sure what criteria you're using to determine the condition of the 
advance springs, but a fair amount of free play is built into their 
mechanism.  The only proper way to check your timing, and advance/retard 
with rpm changes, is with a timing light (preferably an "advance" timing 
light with a dial indicator or digital display).  Tried that?  Assuming 
that you have, there are other considerations, and given the choice between 
having the timing set properly at 5000 rpm's or idle. most of us would 
choose the former, and that's not necessarily something that needs 
intervention.  Further, if the distributor is in fact from an '80 Spica 
Spider, you'd be better off with the original distributor, with regards to 
having an advance curve that suits the '73 Spica engine.  Finally, I'm sure 
most of us are unsure what distributor you're speaking about, since all the 
Spica cars used Marelli distributors, although among the later cars, some 
had dual sets of points and some were breakerless.  Do you have a model 
number?  Does your '73 have its Spica system still in place?

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's

At 08:07 PM 6/16/2004, you wrote:

> Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 14:31:06 -0500
> From: "Matthew Hanselman" <mjhanselman@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] Dead springs on Magnet Marelli advance mechanism?
>
> Anybody know how to replace the springs on the advance mechanism for a
> Magnet Maralli distributor?
>
> I have a '73 Spider that's been upgraded to a Magnet Marelli system, which I
> think means it has the same distributor as an '80 Spider.  The springs on
> the advance mechanism are shot though, which means that if I have the timing
> set right for maximum advance, the springs don't wind up enough so I'm too
> advanced at idle speed.
>
> Any ideas?  I called IAP and they said my only option was a new
> distributor...
>
> - - Matt
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