Re-curving a stock single point distributor

[toolmanmike]

I was talking with a friend today who has a couple big block Mopars with stock distributors converted with Pertronics and he has never recurved the distributors. We talked about Mr Gasket springs, the 4 seconds flat advance plates, and adjustable vacuum advance units. I searched through many threads about the subject but no single post with all the good basic info. It would be great if I could put all the correct info in one thread condense it for all of us to use and make a sticky. I'm counting on you guys!

 

[TrailBeast]

I could tell you all the part numbers and where to get them, but I'm not familiar with big block timing characteristics to tell you how to set up the distributor unless I knew the timing totals and such needed.
With the plates from FBO the mechanical is changeable as is obviously the initial.
Vacuum advance needs to be set in a normal usage situation per engine, fuel, elevation and all that.

For small block it's usually like this.
All in mechanical timing by 2,500 RPM's with a single spring replacing the big one. (Mr. Gasket 925B curve spring set from Autozone, Jegs, and a few others.)

Mechanical total limiter plate J685S from FBO (www.4secondsflat.com) dropped in at 18 degrees for an estimated 14-16 initial giving the engine 32-34 total mechanical. (Best to just call Don and order from him directly)
Phone number is on the website.
Email is: sales@4secondsflat.com

Big block Adjustable vac advance almost anywhere, Autozone, O'Reilly's, Napa, and others

Hope this is what you were after.

 

[toolmanmike]

I could tell you all the part numbers and where to get them, but I'm not familiar with big block timing characteristics to tell you how to set up the distributor unless I knew the timing totals and such needed.
With the plates from FBO the mechanical is changeable as is obviously the initial.
Vacuum advance needs to be set in a normal usage situation per engine, fuel, elevation and all that.

For small block it's usually like this.
All in mechanical timing by 2,500 RPM's with a single spring replacing the big one. (Mr. Gasket 925B curve spring set from Autozone, Jegs, and a few others.)

Mechanical total limiter plate J685S from FBO (www.4secondsflat.com) dropped in at 18 degrees for an estimated 14-16 initial giving the engine 32-34 total mechanical.

Big block Adjustable vac advance almost anywhere, Autozone, O'Reilly's, Napa, and others

Hope this is what you were after.

That's a great start. These are the parts needed, now we need some procedures to make it happen. I did it on my 273 distributor and it made a huge difference but I have a hard time explaining procedures sometimes so people can understand. Thanks for the info!

 

[TrailBeast]

If you want to look up the average performance specs needed on the initial and totals for the timing as well as what curve works best for the big blocks I can certainly help you with it.

(I just finished another one for a small block 1/2 hr ago.)
Probably done 30 or more of them.

 

[RustyRatRod]

It will be difficult to nail down specifics, since every combination requires a different curve. But some good generalities won't hurt a thing.

 

[toolmanmike]

Some basic "how to" info I can print off for the guy would be great. He's all Mopar and pretty handy but hasn't messed with re-curving. He tried looking things up on the net and found links to many threads here but it's hard to sift through the posts to get the info he needs.

 

[toolmanmike]

It will be difficult to nail down specifics, since every combination requires a different curve. But some good generalities won't hurt a thing.

I like the way you think Rusty. I had hoped you and Trailbeast would chime in.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I like the way you think Rusty. I had hoped you and Trailbeast would chime in.

There are WAY more qualified people than I am. TrailBeast and Kit Carson and Crackedback come to mind right off the bat.

 

[toolmanmike]

I might have to keep searching through threads. I think I got instructions from a post here and it worked to the letter. Big blocks and small blocks need different curves but how you get there is the same. Thanks guys. tmm

 

[TrailBeast]

I like the way you think Rusty. I had hoped you and Trailbeast would chime in.

Watch out, cus he farts when you least expect it.

Do the numbers investigation and I'll write it up for you.
Actually 4secondsflat.com has specifics about how and why the plate is done on their website, and I'd bet Don could answer most of your questions about the timing estimates depending on the engine specs.

 

[TrailBeast]

I might have to keep searching through threads. I think I got instructions from a post here and it worked to the letter. Big blocks and small blocks need different curves but how you get there is the same. Thanks guys. tmm

Sounds right to me.
Maybe ask a few questions over at bigblockdart.com ?

 

[67Dart273]

........................Uh...................FBO has a kit for the Mopar factory breakerless. The weights and such are probably very similar to the single point. Would the FBO kit fit I wonder?

FBO Systems

 

[70Duster440]

Maybe you've seen this article: http://www.jefframin.org/library/distributorRecurving.doc
The FBO plate (which I've used too) eliminates a lot of the messing around in the article, but there's some info you might find useful.