Is this the V6 manifold vacuum port?

You don't inhale with your lungs while doing this test. Do it like your sucking on a straw.

 

So expand your cheeks to make a partial vacuum. I'm skeptical you could do much better that way.

 

You really should get the correct vac advance for your specific distributor.
So you need to identify the DR model number.
If you have correct DR distributor I believe I have an extra OEM NOS DR vac advance to fit it.
PM me if your interested otherwise I will put it up on the FS forum.

 

You'll have to remove your distributor.
You should pull the plugs and set number one piston at TDC.

Put a light fitting cork or your thumb over #1 and turn the engine clockwise by hand until air starts gushing from #1 cylinder. (left front)
Then look at and alighn the timing marks at TDC.
Now notice the rotors exact location before you pull the distributor out.
Once it's out you'll need to find the DR number that is stamped into the distributors aluminum base.
I can probably advise you of correct vacuum advance numbers if you need to locate one.

 

Sounds like you need a new can. Yes, the can not working will cause your problems for the reasons you stated. I can not advise what can you need as I have always only ran manifold vac and diff cans are used on these two diff set ups. Cans when using manifold vac are choosen based on the engines vac at idle. As others have suggested, I would get the numbers on the dist and get a stock can.

 

Yes, as long as know one has installed a non stock advance can, that should be all you need. The MS 407 is the part number, the 24 should indicate the amount of advance that can gives in distributer degrees (12* at the crank). Hooking your advance line to manifold vac to test the can as I suggested above, you would see a increase of 12* (over your initial) at the crankshaft with a timing light. Oh, yes the can has a diaphragm in it that is probably torn or rotted.

 

If your breath goes right through the diaphragm, it's done .... kaput. There's a hole in it. It's supposed to hold a vacuum.

Is this a Prestolite distributor? How does the OP feel about buying a reman Delco distributor to replace it?

RockAuto shows a A1-Cardone reman Delco for that application for $42. You would get a new vacuum advance canister with that. Hardly seems worth it to dig up parts for a Prestolite. The Delco is easier to work on, and there is a much broader array of ignition parts made for them.

Or go HEI...

 

I believe he said it was a delco points dist earlier in his posts, if it is a Prestolite, as Tim suggested, I would buy the new delco.

 

Will the Delco adjustable advance canisters for V8s fit a V6 distributor? I thought they did ... then you could dial in whatever advance you want.

You can get a Standard VC24A http://www.summitracing.com/parts/smp-vc24a/overview/ at any parts store. It fits a lot of Delco applications.

 

Yes, all points cans interchange, as well as all HEI cans, the points and HEI cans do not interchange with each other. I believe the adjustable cans only change vac needed to activate, and at what rate the can advances, they do not change the amount of advance given. Each can has its own start and max vac rate, so even the adjustable ones need to provide the right amount of total advance (in the can) or there could be pinging, if the advance is started too early and fast, pinging can occur as well, and that is where the adjustables can help, by slowing down or speeding up the advance, and when it starts. Either is fine to use on any application.

 

Jeep used 3 different Delco Remy distributors with the Dauntless V6 and all 3 of them use the same vacuum advance.
That includes DR 1110322, DR 1110342, and DR 1110376 distributors.
The Delco Remy part number for the vacuum advance is actually 1116163.

OK I seem to have misplaced or lost my original vacuum advance for my Jeep Delco Remy distributor.
Can anyone else verify that James has the correct vacuum advance via matching the cannister numbers ?
Someone please verify the numbers found on your Delco Remy vacuum advance if known to be correct cannister.

I'm thinking DR 1116163 should be MS 163 16 and not MS 407 24.

 

I might also mention that the late 1965 to early 1966 canister was DR # 1116210 and those are marked MS 210 16 on the part.

 

Im looking, this is what I have for now. I think it may be a better choice than the 24* can you have now.
Non-HEI Distributors:
P/N ID# Application Starts @ “Hg Max Adv
(Distr. Degrees @ “Hg.)
VC680 B1 1959 – 63 All Chevrolet 8-11 8 @ 16-18
1964 Corvette exc. FI
1964 Impala, Chevy II
1965 396 High Perf.
1965-67 283, 409
1966-68 327 exc. Powerglide
1967-68 All 396
1969 Corvette 427 High Perf.
1969 396 Exc. High Perf.
1969 Corvette 350 TI
1969-70 302 Camaro
1970 400 4-bbl
1970 396 High Perf.
1970 Corvette 350 High Perf.
1973-74 454 Exc. HEI

 

I have a article of what the can does, how it works, and a list of all GM (Echlin/Napa) non HEI and HEI advance cans. My post above came from that list, I was going to post the whole article but its more than 1,000 words and wouldn't post??.

 

You concluded above it's a Delco. Just get the Standard VC24A or its equivalent. The parts counter guy can cross the VC24A to its equivalent in Napa or whatever. Or just get the part that the application guide points to. IMO you are making this way more complicated than it is. It's a common part.

 

This is all I have found about DR 1116163, VC27

control unit# D1328
GM# 1116163
cant find anything else about it yet.

Tim, the problem with just buying any vac can is if it has too high advance he will exceed his total timing at cruise and the engine will detonate. This is a simple replacement but you need to make sure you wont be over advanced. so far I like the VC680 with 16* advance.