TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
how wide was the slot when you finished to get 16 mechanical?
Sorry, just saw your question.
I didn’t measure it.
how wide was the slot when you finished to get 16 mechanical?
According to the chart Rob posted on the first page, .490.how wide was the slot when you finished to get 16 mechanical?
That’s kinda why I asked. My measurements and the swing I got in my distributor don’t match that chart.According to the chart Rob posted on the first page, .490.
Keep in mind that all advance assemblies are not the same even between otherwise similar engine combos.That’s kinda why I asked. My measurements and the swing I got in my distributor don’t match that chart.
I was speaking about a factory Chrysler electronic vacuum advance distributor.Keep in mind that all advance assemblies are not the same even between otherwise similar engine combos.
Some have angled slots and some don’t, which must be application specific somehow.
That would change how the advance plate affects it.
Measure the distance between the slots as well as the length of each slot. That way you'll have a complete reference.
View attachment 1715650529
Then I would definitely grind so you get the proper arc. You do realize that although he has that chart marked "dist. degrees" that it's actually crank degrees, right? That said, I agree 100% about testing the advance arc yourself. I'd use any chart as a guide. That's exactly why I still like welding and grinding the slots old school style, because no matter what you're working with, you'll get it right. In fact, when I did my slant 6 distributors, I didn't even measure the finished products. I just got it to the advance I wanted and called it done. What's correct on my distributor HERE may be different for some else, elsewhere.That’s kinda why I asked. My measurements and the swing I got in my distributor don’t match that chart.
So if I understand you correctly you’re saying there is an inherent ratio in the design that could be expressed as degrees of advance per degree of rotation?We have a couple of things going on that make me question if the advance in the slots is truly linear.
The spring force component acting to pull on the weights increases as the weight moves out. (This is great because acceleration increases the centripital force exponentially.) I don't think this bears directly on whether degrees in the slots are linear but helps us think about the geometry.
At complete rest, red arrow representing spring force. Even if there is tension on the springs, they provide practically no resistance to the weights moving outward.
View attachment 1716403973
Now lets put the governer in, creating the initial tension.
The weight's pin moves a little out and a little bit clockwise.
A small component of the spring force acts to hold the weight in.
View attachment 1716403978
Now lets look at the movement.
Install the governer and the pin moves mostly outward, and just a little clockwise
View attachment 1716403981
Move the wieghts further out, and the pin moves almost the same amount clockwise as it moves outward.
View attachment 1716403980
The further the weights move out, the more degrees are advanced for a given distance the pins move in slot. At least that's how it looks to me without actually drawing it out.
Then if all this is accurate.....and it seems it is, the governor slots should really be curved.We have a couple of things going on that make me question if the advance in the slots is truly linear.
The spring force component acting to pull on the weights increases as the weight moves out. (This is great because acceleration increases the centripital force exponentially.) I don't think this bears directly on whether degrees in the slots are linear but helps us think about the geometry.
At complete rest, red arrow representing spring force. Even if there is tension on the springs, they provide practically no resistance to the weights moving outward.
View attachment 1716403973
Now lets put the governer in, creating the initial tension.
The weight's pin moves a little out and a little bit clockwise.
A small component of the spring force acts to hold the weight in.
View attachment 1716403978
Now lets look at the movement.
Install the governer and the pin moves mostly outward, and just a little clockwise
View attachment 1716403981
Move the wieghts further out, and the pin moves almost the same amount clockwise as it moves outward.
View attachment 1716403980
The further the weights move out, the more degrees are advanced for a given distance the pins move in slot. At least that's how it looks to me without actually drawing it out.
They are a vendor, just not one on this site.......that I am aware of. Here is his site.So stupid question here, but is FBO a vendor and I just havent heard of them?
He's very pleasant to chat with too.So stupid question here, but is FBO a vendor and I just havent heard of them?

You'd be a good fiction writer. lolHe's very pleasant to chat with too.![]()
I'm not sure I'm explaining this well.So if I understand you correctly you’re saying there is an inherent ratio in the design that could be expressed as degrees of advance per degree of rotation?
Of course they're not super precise. 1920s? technology? lolI'm not sure I'm explaining this well.
The pin on the weight moves in an arc.
View attachment 1716404125
I *think* this usually makes it close to 1:1 relation with degrees when the arc is close to a 45 degree angle to the slots and the slots are perfectly radial like in the above distributor. I *think* when the weight is further in more movement is needed to advance the distributor and when its further out slightly more movement is needed to get a single degree of advance.
Angled slots certainly change the ratio.
Pin diameter and slop can effect the degrees as well. Some think that a little bit of side play between the slot and pin can be an advantage. I don't think these are super precise parts. So I think there is a degree of trial and error testing. No pun intended
I don't think so, based on the pic below. The slots being straight are what cause the rotor to advance clockwise as the weights rotated on their pivot pins. The longer the slot is, the more the rotor can rotate relative the "fixed" position of the drive coming up from the camshaft.Then if all this is accurate.....and it seems it is, the governor slots should really be curved.
As the wieghts move out, the rotor turns clockwise, advancing with respect to the crank/cam.I'm not sure I'm explaining this well.
The pin on the weight moves in an arc.
View attachment 1716404125
I *think* this usually makes it close to 1:1 relation with degrees when the arc is close to a 45 degree angle to the slots and the slots are perfectly radial like in the above distributor. I *think* when the weight is further in more movement is needed to advance the distributor and when its further out slightly more movement is needed to get a single degree of advance.
Angled slots certainly change the ratio.
Pin diameter and slop can effect the degrees as well. Some think that a little bit of side play between the slot and pin can be an advantage. I don't think these are super precise parts. So I think there is a degree of trial and error testing. No pun intended