Vacuum Advance Valves Pinto

[Teamidris]

At 17 years old these have got to be on their way out? But what is their purpose? I notice the ignition timing is advanced by a lot when the engine is cold.
New plugs seem to have cured my mis fire. But first thing, I checked the timing and set it to the cold setting. Then it got warm, checked it again and it was well off . ( Okay, I know it should have been hot before I started ) .

I guess they are a small technological footnote between simple 'vacuum/mechanical advance' distributors, and full 'fuel injection/distributer-less electronic ignition'.

Bearing in mind that everything else I own works fine without a rats nest of temperature actated vacuum valves, can they be removed from the ignition advance cicuit?

[rover]

I cant see your problem

NO they cant be removed, the timing needs to be advanced at cold starting or you will have a lumpy gutless hunk of iron under the bonnet

If the timing is advancing on cold start up then its working properly.

Rover.

[Teamidris]

I finally pulled it. It’s soooo old now I’m not risking relying on it functioning properly. And wow is it complicated. I think it is a cold advance, a hot air flap and overheating piston protection from pre detonating. I would be happier if it was a neat install, not a jumble of stuff with the pipes jammed up against the timing cover