if the vac can has a straight arm,it is incorrect. should have some fancy bends,also your carb won't match the list. you can modify it re a post on how to do this,or get a 57 carb. I would tend to return the whole thing if it came with the vacume unit.. or did you install the vacuum unit.

The vacuum advance made for the 1957 FEK 12131-B distributor, the inlet end does have a removable end and inner workings. These advances can be bought new, however, they do not come with the removable parts. I have one that does not have the missing parts and have been looking for them with no luck so far. Can anyone tell me where they can be purchased? It does not make much sense for them to be sold new with missing integral parts and there not be a readily available source for them. Any help here would be appreciated.

Thanks for the good info Steve ! , as it turns out the new vac can is going to need some mods since the arm has a different angle than the original, looks like I
will have to relieve the distributor housing slot a little and bend the arm...... Brett

1955 tbird 

Glad you got the cans work for you - interesting that there must be more than one socket screw size in them. Now that you have the equipment - beware that the can is "active" at part throttle cruise - so long as the engine is producing vacuum - the can is adding advance.
  
This chart comes in some of the replacement can boxes - gives you some indication of what you have to work with. By using a "live" vacuum port off your engine (and a vacuum gage) - at idle - you can test different settings by taking a look at a timing tape on the damper. Simply by pulling the hose on and off the nipple you should see the result at .....say 15 inches Hg. (idle). Those who drive (or have driven) with a vacuum gage to monitor fuel economy will vouch for the amount of vacuum you can see while traveling at road speed.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

I found an adjustable can from RockAuto.com and it's a night and day difference than the one that came on the Cardone distributor. I adjusted the Cardone to its loosest setting and could barely get the arm to move. I could move it with finger but it was still very tight and crunchy feeling. The new Standard part #VC221 takes little vacuum to move and it is adjustable and smooth.

1955 tbird 

 I fou

1955 tbird 

good news ! Like greenbird suggested, my vacuum can IS adjustable. I had to use a punch to open up the hose nipple up to be able to fit a 1/8 allen wrench.  Turned it counterclockwise and was able to relieve some of the spring tension.  I can now advance plate with mouth vacuum as long as I give the arm a little nudge/help with a screwdriver. Its a start I'll be interested to see how the Edelbrock pulls  on it ...........

1955 tbird 

yes Ted, I agree. It is not removable. I guess i'll source another can. Probably a lot easier than trying to return complete distributor to Advanced Auto and have them send another one........

1955 tbird 

If your current vacuum chamber does not have a detachable vacuum hose end, I'll suggest another vacuum can.  If you do have a vacuum can that you can take apart, then remove the inner spring and related spacers and see if it was put together incorrectly.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I got out my handheld vac gauge and found that i can pull 12-15 inches with mouth vacuum, this does not seem to be enough to move arm in vac can.......

1955 tbird