I've just been checking the timing ahead of getting a new carb and to get the full 36 degrees mechanical advance, as specified by Lars, I have to have loads of initial timing, ie from no mech advance to full is only a difference of about 15 degrees. Needless to say I've pulled the top off the distributor. Was a bit gungy so I cleaned it up and it does have a spring and weights kit that I put in years ago, possibly by Moroso or Mr Gasket. Whilst I'm sure that the smaller pointy ends of the weights point anti clockwise, what I'm not sure about is the orientation of the centre peice on which they push. Whilst I've found instructions on the various websites I've not found a picture or diagram. I took a picture before taking it off, but I'm not convinced that it was in correctly in the first place.
Do the small points of the weights tuck into the shoulder of the centre section and stop when they hit it, or is the centre peice the other way up, so they don't hit anything, which is the was it was.
Pulling the weights out manually, either way doesn't look like it would give 24 degrees of advance compared to the old stock ones I dug out of the garage. There horibbly worn and have no nylon bushes before you all suggest the obvious!
Does anyone have a picture of an HEI rebuilt with a new weight and spring kit.

Cheers from the UK, Rob.

 

I know you said not to suggest the obvious but I have to anyway. I would get new bushings and reinstall the standard weights. That HEI dist. give a TON of advance when operating properly. So much that I had to install a Crane recurve kit that has an advance limiter to stop it from giving too much advance. Crane makes (made) the best, they're still around as stock at various places.