Dizzy - refurb or 123 (or similar)

[rdg496]

Evening, my 69t slowly stalls at idle when warm. It was suggested that it may be due to the original distributor.
Is it time to upgrade to an electronic set up like a 123 or just get the original refurbished?
The car is fitted with a classic retrofit cdi+ box.

Any guidance welcome.

Cheers.

[chris68]

Don't think the problem is with the distributor if it's happening at idle because the centrifugal advance isn't active at that engine speed. It could of course be that you haven't got the right static advance but be careful not to set too much. You don't want excessive total advance at high revs, that'll just end in tears.

Whether to swap to the 123 system depends on how much you want to retain originality. I hear positive things about the 123 so they must be good. Nothing wrong with the standard distributor either if it's all working properly. To check it out you really need to get it on a test rig, or use a timing light on the engine and plot the advance all the way to 6000rpm crank (3000rpm distributor).

Good luck.

[rdg496]

Thanks for the info, from memory the mechanic (Porsche specialist) who did good job getting ride of the rough running and backfires commented that the dizzy was a lilttle sticky and was in possible need of a rebuild. I will keep the original for any future owners but happy to modernise, originality not an issue as long as its reversible.

Cheers.

[chris68]

Good point, could be that the advance mech isn't returning properly. Maybe gummed up a bit. Try removing, washing through and re-lubricating maybe?? Think there's a bakelite plate at the base of the distributor body too. Maybe it's disintegrating a bit. Hope you get it sorted.

[AndrewSlater]

If you think the advance mechanism on the distributor is causing the problem, you could possibly lock your distributor and let the Classic Retrofit cdi+ box take care of the advance curve.

Just a thought.

All the best
Andrew

[rdg496]

Thanks, far beyond my understanding, I know you can buy collars but only saw them for sc and turbo models.

[Nine One One]

If you go to Jonny’s site there are video tutorials about locking the distributor and how to plot the advance curve
https://classic-retrofit.com/forum/inde ... stributor/

https://classic-retrofit.com/forum/inde ... cal-forum/