hey guys, I have recently acquired a 12a distributor that came off a gsl in a junkyard(sad story). since I wanna go DLIDFIS on my 80 rx7 (12a) soon, I was thinking of overhauling the distributor for ***** and giggles, and also for a learning experience. So First Question is: Is it even worth overhauling? if it is, what will I need? (tend to use new parts unless if some of the internals are still good). i also wanna paint it, is there Any good Non Metal additives paints out to look for or don't paint it at all (misfires and such)? and is there a step by step on how to do it? I do have a book but I feel its uninformative in this section. Any help will Do: )

 

I can't help much on the rebuild part, but I did take mine apart and clean it. Once apart, I used a big stationary buffing wheel and shined up the aluminum. I also powder coated the plate that the distributor goes through along with the cap hold downs. I also shined up the vacuum things and then painted with a red translucent. It's supposed to simulate anodized parts. I would suggest not painting the main body and just shining it up. I would also suggest not using any sand paper or wire/brass wheels on any part of it. Buffing it it with compound should clean it up.

 

the racers used to do some stuff like this, apparently the bearing/bushings wear and this lets the shaft wobble and timing gets inaccurate.

normal people would just make sure the mechanical advance worked, the vacuum advances were good, new cap and rotor and change the oil seals

 

What is that cap on your distributor?

 

keeps moisture and dirt out, i have one on my stock 84.

 

So that is a factory part? Interesting. My son's '85 didn't have one of those and the rebuilt distributor didn't have one either.

 

mine has one. and I got the distributor out of a junkyard lol I guess it depends on what model you have? mine came out of a GSL.

 

it doesn't seem too be vary important, but they did all have one new