3.8 Buick

[Street Sweeper22]

Yep, you use an analog dwell meter set on the 6 cylinder scale, regardless how many cylinders the engine has. The idle mixture screws are the course adjustment for both idle and off idle mixtures. While the idle airbleed in the choke horn is the fine mixture adjustment for only the base idle. Most of the time only the idle aif bleed needs adjusting.

Ok, I’m going to replace the HEI module first. I watched a guy tune his carb with vacuum on YouTube. Is that just a generic way of doing it?

 

[Street Sweeper22]

You should be able to compress the spring until the slot in the washer/retainer will slide out the groove in the pump shaft

Thank you

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Ok, I’m going to replace the HEI module first. I watched a guy tune his carb with vacuum on YouTube. Is that just a generic way of doing it?

Vacuum gauge method is for non computer controlled carbs. For computer controlled carbs you must use a analog dwell meter.

 

[Street Sweeper22]

Vacuum gauge method is for non computer controlled carbs. For computer controlled carbs you must use a analog dwell meter.

That makes sense. This is what I found when I pulled the HEI module. What is all this shrapnel from and what should I replace?

 

[Street Sweeper22]

This is what’s left of the brush, rotor and cap. The is brush is literally dust. How did it even run lol. Would it be cheaper to just get a whole new distributor or parts? I’m a little apprehensive about installing a new distributor. Any help is appreciated

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

At a minumum you are going to need to replace the rotor, cap, and bushing. Looks like someone installed thd bushing wrong. Also better clean all that carbon dust out of the distributor to prevent shorts. Be sure to use the correct heat sink compound on the module, just a little.

 

[Street Sweeper22]

At a minumum you are going to need to replace the rotor, cap, and bushing. Looks like someone installed thd bushing wrong. Also better clean all that carbon dust out of the distributor to prevent shorts. Be sure to use the correct heat sink compound on the module, just a little.

I’ve put almost 15,000 miles on it since I got it. Crazy how that brush turned to dust.

 

[MrSony]

Just a thin smear of that white heat sink compound, NOTHING ELSE! Make sure to cover the whole metal surface of the module.
I don't know if you can buy remanufactured ccc Buick 3.8 distributors, but I would try to save yours anyhow.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

I’ve put almost 15,000 miles on it since I got it. Crazy how that brush turned to dust.

Its amazing that it even ran like that. Probably better inspect the coil for damage while you are at it. Try to get a cap with brass contacts instead of aluminum contacts.

 

[Street Sweeper22]

Does a cap and rotor kit come with the brush already in it or do I have to buy that too? And thanks for al your help