BMW specifies Bosch Ft1v4 Grease. I have an ancient tube that has gone to thick paste. Recently I have been using a tube of AC Delco distributor cam lube but that now appears to be NLA, too.

This would be a good substitute: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/371026894409?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

BMW specifies Bosch Ft1v4 Grease. I have an ancient tube that has gone to thick paste. Recently I have been using a tube of AC Delco distributor cam lube but that now appears to be NLA, too.

I've used Vaseline Petroleum jelly, applied sparingly. There are lots of distributor cam lubes out there, check your local speed shop or REAL auto parts store, the kind who supply garages and repair shops, not the ones that sell chrome chain steering wheels and custom rims. 🙂

Ignition cam lubes used to be a dime a dozen, but since points haven't been used on automobiles in almost 2 decades, the choices are drying up fast. Realize that unless your Beemer is very low mileage, the ATU can be worn internally to the point where precise ignition timing may become almost impossible. Add that to the fact that the ATU springs can give up, and that even with new springs the advance curves have changed simply because fuels have evolved so much since your Beemer was new.

It simply may be time to consider installing an electronic ignition, my friend.

Not a do-or-die thing, just food for thought. 🙂