John Deere 1010w distributor inspection for replacement

Hi
Can someone please help me with how to inspect a distributor so I can determine if I need to replace it or not. Also can I switch to a electric distributor instead of points? Thanks for any reply

There are 2 common problems with distributors.

First is the shaft bushing. To check it, remove the cap, dust cover, and rotor. Gently push the shaft side to side watching for movement. In order for points to operate properly, and have a long life, they must be properly adjusted. If there is slack in the bushing, the points can not be, and will not stay properly set. There should be no more than about .005 movement, that is not much!

The other common problem is a frozen mechanical advance. With the rotor in place, try to gently turn it the same direction the shaft turns. It should turn a few degrees, and spring back when released. If it is difficult to turn, or sluggish to return, there is a problem. Usually this can be remedied by removing the distributor, disassembling it, cleaning and lubricating the moving parts, and reassembling it. Sometimes the springs will need to be replaced if they are rusted or broken.

When converting to electronic, a worn shaft bushing is generally not a problem. Only if it is really bad, as in a spun out bushing, will it need to be repaired. The electronic kit is very forgiving of bushing wear. But, the mechanical advance does need to work as it is still in use to give the proper timing curve. It is a good idea to go ahead and disassemble, inspect, and lubricate the distributor when installing an electronic kit.

Thank you for the reply very helpful!