Distributor advance springs

Remove the cap taking note of where the rotor is pointing. Take a picture, even. Pull the distributor and tear it down. It's very simple. It's probably gummed up with dirt and grease and the weights are stuck or springs broken like your dad says. He ain't lived his life to learn nuthin. Listen to him. That distributor is really easy to disassemble. Learn it yourself and you'll never be at anyone else's mercy.