I ran on a 3000 mile trip with a failed Vacuum advance on my 3800. It had an off-idle hesitation that was annoying but I figured I could live with it. What I didn't realize was that running at light throttle and retarded timing raises exhaust temperature, which overheated the exhaust manifold and burned out the manifold gaskets and the exhaust pipe flange gaskets (Fenton). I had to fix it on the street in front of my sister's house in Salt Lake City in the snow in early November, which was a pain. NAPA had the gaskets and the advance unit and I bought both. I could have saved myself a bundle of trouble by replacing the Vacuum advance right away.

1951 3800 1-ton
"Earning its keep from the get-go"
In the DITY Gallery
1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971.