You definitely do not want full vacuum to spark advance at idle. Made that mistake when hunting a nipple to plug mine into at purchase (my re-engine has no cut off solenoid, or any other vestiges of factory vacuum system). What I thought was timed vacuum turned out to be full vacuum. Advanced ever living daylights out of ignition. Only way to get a decent idle was to over enrich fuel mixture. Percolated fine in the driveway, but killed performance and economy as soon as car driven. Ultimately added a nipple BEFORE throttle plates (you can see it in #5939's photo album -- is the 3/16" hose routed drivers side of air sensor plate before aux air valve, now routed passenger side). Works excellent. No advance until throttle plates open. BTW: notice spark advance is fuel line hose, and aux air valve is extra beefy transmission hose (won't collapse under vacuum). Bill Robertson #5939 >--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Paul Salsbury" <paul.salsbury@xxxx> wrote: > Now you've got me hooked, I've always struggled to get an idle I'm happy > with, and have settled for 1000rpm after trying many different options. > > Whilst playing and adjusting last weekend I was checking all my vacuum > connection and definitely remember that there was strong suction on the > vacuum advance pipe when I disconnected it. car was running sat on the > drive! > > What are all the possibilities this could be and will it solve my > problems??? > > Cheers > > Paul > #6463 > http://www.paul.salsbury.btinternet.co.uk > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "content22207" <brobertson@xxxx> > To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 2:20 PM > Subject: [DML] Re: Warm-up problems (spark advance solenoid) > > > > Pull hose off spark advance diaphragm (attached to side of > > distributor) and feel for vacuum at idle. If it's there, something's > > wrong. Could be cut off solenoid or idle microswitch. > > > > Bill Robertson > > #5939 > > > > >--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, billsfanmd@xxxx wrote: > > > I hear people talk about the spark advance solenoid located by the > > > distributor...Looks like alittle flying saucer :-) Is there a way to > > check to > > > see if it is bad? mine has the vaccum lines on it and the electrical > > plug but > > > just wondered the failure rate and symptoms? This does not seem to > > be a part > > > you would normally replace on a tune-up.