Distributor drive spring. Options

[eyesright]

I'm rebuilding '76 2.0. I don't find a spring in my parts box that slides into the distributor drive socket before adding the distributor shaft. This spring is mentioned in the Haynes, Lash, and Wilson books, and there is one in a 1.7 engine that I built awhile back. But it isn't mentioned in the Raby video, nor did I find it in 914World search. and a coupe of other web searches.

I was trying to keep up on organizing parts during the teardown, but there's always a chance I missed something. Anyway, I sure don't have one now. I pulled the one out of the 1.7 and will find one similiar at Lowe's, but can anyone advise me if it is required and what it's purpose is. I can't imagine a problem with the drive gear jumping out of the crank gear as long as the dizzy is snug. And if the dizzy IS creeping out of position, the spring isn't going to solve any problems...hmmm.

Thanks.