checking distributor advance mechanism

[vongiese]

My vacuum advance is dead on my 1988 LXi. before I order a new advance - i figure i should check out the Distributor too - i.e. is the advace mechanism (stator) suppose to turn freely by hand and return on it's own?? No movement from stator when i apply vacuum to the vacuum advance so i'm wondering if the stator is froze-up as well...?
thanks

[shepherd79]

grab the two vertical blades, and move it.
most likely, your advance doesn't hold the vacuum.

if you are going to order a new one, you better off ordering from Majestic or your local Honda dealer. Autoparts stores don't have the right part for EFI distributors. they have it for carbed TEC distributor but not for TEC efi one. I found that hard way. ordered 2 times and nothing matched. I went to dealer and they got the right part next day.

[vongiese]

I know my vacuum advance doesn't hold vac - just want to make sure the dist guts aren't toast.
I'll check it out this weekend -
thanks for the info.

[vongiese]

Thanks - I checked for free movement of the stator, and it seems to move easily by hand and return on its own. I ordered a new vacuum advance from the dealer. will let you know the results.

[onebad4D]

For the TEC distributor, has anyone any firsthand knowledge of how exactly how many degrees the stator is supposed to rotate when turned by hand?

[Oldblueaccord]

For the TEC distributor, has anyone any firsthand knowledge of how exactly how many degrees the stator is supposed to rotate when turned by hand?

It does move "a little" that is your mechanical advance plates under neath.

I would worry more about it not hitting the reluctor when it moves.