I tore down my distributor for a cleaning and inspection and found that one of the springs for the mechanical advance was broken and the second was stretched. I had a spare distributor in my parts stash but that one also had one broken spring. Is there a source for replacements? Any advice if I have to match these up to some generic springs at the hardware store? I imagine it would have to be a very exact match to not modify the factory advance curve which might be tricky. Is this a common issue? Thanks!

 

As you say, getting a close-enough match on a generic spring could be....tricky.
Some choices:
-local auto electric shop that rebuilds dizzy's that might have bits and pieces that may interchange
-Mazda? worth an Ask. Get the PN off the Forum-accessible parts manual for your RX model and see if they can help...
-buy a used dizzy here or at wrecker's and try your luck
-buy rebuilt dizzy off, eg, ebay and start fresh. Run $2-300

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

Rockauto sells reman dizzys that we have seen used by members here. You could try that route.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...268&cc=1192250

 

If it is a points type distributor, I have a 1979 distributor that is low mileage, but it has a bent shaft. You can have it for the cost of shipping from Ontario.