pertronix install / breaker plate issue, eek Options

[r3dplanet]

Okay. I bought a Pertonix unit for my '71 1.7L 914. I like these units and have had great luck with them in the past. Tonight I popped off the distributor cap and removed the condenser and points. I'm looking at a not-so-clean circular plate underneath, along with what looks to be a copper solder wick-style mesh wire that was perhaps once soldered to the plate. It isn't now. It looks like someone has tried to solder it down before because the end has an ugly glob of solder on it.

Does it matter? If I'm installed the Petronix unit, then there no need for (what I'm guessing) is breaker or points ground wire? I'm hesitant to move any further until I know what's up.

Thank you all kindly.

[r3dplanet]

Heh.

Huh.

Meh.

Geez.

I pulled the distributor (which I've never done before on this car) and made an unpleasant discovery. The vacuum advance doesn't work because the breaker plate is so gunked up and rusty that it can barely move. I've been looking up and down for an answer to why the car decelerates rapidly and jerky. Maybe this is it. I've been following the rebuild thread elsewhere in the forums, but some part of me wonders if I shouldn't just replace it with a new unit.

Pelican shows that these are no longer available. Aren't these just a plain-jane VW-style distributor? Are they really so difficult to find new?

Thanks again.

[Millerwelds]

Are you injected or running carbs? If you are still running the fuel injection you need the fuel injection "points", "contacts", whatever they are called...to fire the injection. They are located in the lower half of the distributer. If you are running carbs then a think you can use another dizzy but the advance curve may not match 100%. Others will know more for sure.