Distributor Vacuum Advance replacement

[LouisMacc]

Hello,

I'm struggling to replace the vacuum advance on the distributor.
I have a 1986 W150 5.2.

The manual says to pry up a reluctor thingy as one of the first steps. I can't pry it up. It looks like it's secured with a snap ring inside a collar.

Has anyone else replaced a vacuum advance control?
How did you do it?

Should I just replace the entire distributor?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Daw14]

Remove the clip.
Find someone who has some mechanical skills to help guide you.
Why are you changing the advance ?
What are symptoms ?

 

[LouisMacc]

Remove the clip.
Find someone who has some mechanical skills to help guide you.
Why are you changing the advance ?
What are symptoms ?

I'm stuggling to remove the clip. It doesn't look like any snap ring I'm familiar with.

 

[Wild one]

I'm stuggling to remove the clip. It doesn't look like any snap ring I'm familiar with.

Been many years,but if i remember right it's just a split ring,and i used to use 2 small screwdrivers one on each side of the split,and spread the ring enough it'd slide up and out of the groove.They can be a real bi atch though

 

[LouisMacc]

Been many years,but if i remember right it's just a split ring,and i used to use 2 small screwdrivers one on each side of the split,and spread the ring enough it'd slide up and out of the groove.They can be a real bi atch though

I can't get that ring out, even after removing the distributor. I'm just going to buy a new distributor, O'Riellys have them for $120. I am worried that they won't fit right.