I've never dealt with a rebuilt distributor before but, from looking at rebuilt alternators I'd imagine they would be very hit and miss as far as quality/reliability is concerned. Interesting that these distributors have an adjustable advance. Old school Mitsubishi Saturn engines had adjustable advance on them from factory (there was a keyed slot on the side of the distributor body - you'd back off 2 philips head screws, then insert a small flat blade screwdriver into keyed slot and shift the adjuster left or right to alter the vac idle) It is nearly impossible to find a fully functioning used distributor in a JY - either they have dead ICM's in them, the vac advance servo is dead or the mechanical components are tired which throws the timing all over the place.
Thanks for posting up links and your findings