Distributors?

[JGC403]

In 2 articles in Mopar Action magazine they recommend a distributor from 1972. The first article is in the Feb 2014 issue, A Spark In Time, where they show you how to rebuild a OEM distributor, or buy a reman one for a 1972 Mopar. Second article is in the Aug 2014 issue, Rebolting Situation where they used a reman 1972-'73 distributor in their cheap 360 build.

Anyone have an idea why they would recommend a distributor form that year opposed to any other?

 

[KitCarlson]

My guess would be maximum engine performance. 1973 on had modified advance controls for reducing pollution. Most worked in conjunction with extenal vacuum controls that were time and temperature based. The added things varied by year, were not mechanically reliable, and created drive ability problems, loss of fuel economy and reduction in performance. All this is my opinion, others think it saved the world.

Now days with computer controlled timing, it is right, the best for all.

 

[66fs]

72 and 73 340 distributors had the simple electronic ignition good to 6,000 RPM. They also have 25 degrees of centrifugal advance. All you need is to set it to 10 BTDC, advanced enough to start and idle well, and you have 35 BTDC, probably within 2 degrees of max power for most of us, total advance at WOT. You also have an adjustable vacuum advance for better mileage at cruising speed. A simple bulletproof ignition.

 

[67Dart273]

Everything starting Federally in 68 and later had increased advance curves and it got worse year by year. Here are the curves for 70, 71 (these would be breaker points distributors)

72, and 73.

I don't have a pdf for 74. My 74 paper book shows follows

Under 360 high performance (Good luck getting the proper one from a rebuilder by the way)


12-14 degrees advance at 2000 RPM

and 10-12 degrees vacuum advance at 13.5" Hg.

Bear in mind all of these are DISTRIBUTOR degrees so X2 for crank degrees

Timing was supposed to be set 2 1/2 BTC up to 5 BTC, depending on whether Fed or CA and whether auto or stick shift

Top photo is '70 (breaker points)

Second photo 71 (breaker points)

Third photo is 72,

Bottom two are 73