2 destroyed starters in a row...WTH?

Bulldozer said
I would also try a different distributor just for *****. it's a wacky idea , but maybe it's hanging up in full mechanical advance

halifaxhops said
I had exactly the same problem and broke two noses off of the mini starters. My issue was while cranking the distributor vac advance started advancing. Yes it was on the ported vacuum port. Weird as heck to find. Use your timing light while cranking and see if it is advancing while cranking. I made a full mechanical distributor and have not had a issue since. Hope it helps.

After the 2nd failure, I've also been wondering what role the Distributor may have played in all of this - it could be one thing on the engine that was working properly then went south and started wrecking stuff. I will try and figure out if I can trouble shoot it some other way than checking the timing while cranking it - since things only seem to blow up when I'm cranking it. :eek:

Something I didn't mention earlier was that when the 2nd starter broke, the vacuum advance hose was removed and plugged (I was in the middle of checking the timing) so maybe @Bulldozer nailed it.

If I can't check the Diz on the bench, maybe I'll just replace it.

The above responses have given me a nice list to work through. Picked up a new Piston Stop yesterday, so I'll start with checking the Balancer and go from there.

Much thanks again, FABO!