Metal shavings in distributor at pickup coil. Car running rough, lights dimming...

Charging output is relative to engine RPM and electrical load. If your engine is running rough, it isn't idling at proper rpm; therefore, your charging output, is most likely, less than optimum.

Why did the pick up coil not sit parallel? Did it sit flush, on the mounting plate? If I remember right, there was a dimple or pin that had to sit in a hole in the plate, then you adjust the gap between the relict or and coil, and screw it down. That gap was somewhere - I don't remember - someone chime in here- .008-.011" ? Been too long, and I'm not there yet with mine.