I just got my 1980 RX-7 about 3 weeks ago and I have two questions for anyone that might be able to help me until I get the service manual that I ordered.

1. On my distributer cap there are two vacuum advances but only one is hooked up to a rubber tube (the one closest to the alternator). Is this correct or should I put a "T" in the tube and connect the second as well?

2. On the vacuum advance that is not connected (closest to the driver's side fender). There is a red wire connected to the top right screw (middle of picture below). This wire runs towards the firewall, loops with lots of excess, then comes back up the side of the driver's side fender and connects next to the left most spark plug wire on the lower left of this picture. What is this for? Is it needed?

 

They should both be hooked up-on a stock set up. The one closest to the alt is the leading and the one closest to the fender is the trailing, they both are tee'd from the same line in the rats nest. You should have a diagram on your hood (could be gone by now). This will help till your manual shows up. Just a parts man but pics are cool http://www.iluvmyrx7.com/index.htm left side-first gen things to read-manuals- your year. They have some other cool info too. You have a moded car ie the rats nest has been removed etc so the stock info wont help that much. Is the other pot, the one not hooked up, open to the atmosphere? Ive never heard or seen only one of the vacuum advances being used and the other not. There should be other folks here who can answere more.

 

Since you do not have a stock set up or the rat's net you might want to disconnect them. Talk with the maker of the Holley carb kit (Racing Beat) and get a suggestion from them of what your set up would like as far as vacuum advance goes.

 

I have an '80 also, and I have NO idea why that red wire is there.
Never seen anything like it.
I'd take it off and see what happens.

 

Yes, the trailing vacuum advance (closest to the fender) is open to the atmoshere.