In the 1980's, majority of cars run on distributors with integrated ignition centrifugal advance and vacum advance mechanisms. This ignition timing advance mechanisms served to position the engine to repond best under speed and loading conditions. For Japanese cars, Mitsubishi and Hitachi distributors are the most popular, and they share many similarities in built and function.
While their mechanisms are almost as reliable as the Swiss watch, some maintenance is required to ensure that they perform as per specifications. The major threats to distributors are oil, dust / sand particulates. Notice how badly this one is fouled with oil leakage.
The insides of a distributor that is still in pristine condition, except for a slight wetting by engine oil penetration from outside of it's body. I called this "pristine" as the bottom looked dry, indicating that the distributor rotor shaft seal is in good condition. The shaft connects directly into the camshaft drive gear.
Another look at an aged distributor in pristine condition. This one is coming from a 1980 Mitsubishi Galant (4G32 engine).
The magnetic rotor, top actuating plate is removed to reveal a clean bottom, consisting of the centrifugal advance mechanism. When I tried to twist centrifugal advance rotor, it would not move.
It turns out that the shaft is slightly corroded, and the grease have dried and hardened, causing the centrifugal advance to be "locked" in position of zero advance.
This is how the bottom looks like after the cent. adv. rotor is removed. I had to pull it out using a bearing puller (sorry, not pictured).
After cleaning the shaft, Molybdenum grease is applied to ensure full advance is achieved when the rotational speed is increased.
A closer look at the cen. adv. rotor, which is curved with a very-very conservative ignition advance curve. Considering the weight of the car, it would be appropriate.
Finally, not the least, the distributor cap is cleaned of oil and dirt contamination before the engine is fired up. As the centre carbon has reasonable extension length, I decided to re-use the cap. 
I have a 1988 mighty max that needs a new ignition module that fits inside the distributor. Denso IG-243 9H 23 part number Denso 131300-11**.
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reply to Charles@elberton.net.
Hi! Thank you very much for these very informative article. It's really helpful. Btw, have you encountered working with distributor for Mitsubishi 4G35 distributor? it looks quite similar but with longer (like double) shaft. But mine was still using contact points. I wanted to upgrade to electronic igniter and I wonder if I can use the internals of 4G32 distributor for 4G35. Looks pretty same without the magnetic rotor.
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