Thread: 98 D1 V8 Distributor Vacum Advance - hose and 2 pin or 3 pin unit?

The two right angle rubber boots on the distributors vacuum advance vacuum hose from the inlet manifold on our 98 D1 V8 have perished. It seems that the genuine part, ERR4676 is either no longer available or those that have stock have old stock in which case the rubber is probably not going to last that much longer. Any reason standard vacuum hose can't be used instead and carefully routed to not kink on the angles?

While working there I used another vacuum hose to test the destructors vacuum advance unit. When sucking hard on the hose I could continually suck for infinity, so the unit isn't sealed and won't stick on the tip of my tongue - likely a failed diaphragm. According to Microcat there are two versions that differ in the number of pins:

STC1186 - 3 pin
RTC3201 - 2 pin

I've looked at online pictures and am unable to identify what they are referring to as 'pins' and how to identify which I currently have (2 or 3 pin unit). Any guidance please?

From some older threads (circa 2006 era) it indicates that rebuilt units are preferable to new replacement units as the rebel diaphragms use better rubber. Is this still the consensus?
The recommended supplier, Mike at http://www.advancediaphragmoptions.com , website doesn't work and I haven't found alternative contact means. Any one able to recommend a supplier please?

Vac advance units were one of the many things I became intimately familiar with during years of RR ownership, they are easy to repair if you are moderately handy. The diaphragms tend not to tear but rather to come loose from where they are pinched between the two halves of the metal housing. I used to pry them apart by bending the crimped rim back with a screwdriver, straighten out the diaphragm, re-seat it with some adhesive and crimp the two halves of the shell back together. Probably around 20 minutes of fiddly work to save the cost of a new unit.
And yes don't waste your time trying to track down some fancy bent rubber hose, just buy a length of quality vacuum hose.