Dwell / timing oddness

[Toptech360]

Both springs need to be connected. One is different than the other. Don't swap them, just reinstall the one that fell off. That will definitely help! That affects your advance.

Edit: the other spring installs on the opposite side.

[AC77]

Lorna,
PM me, I may have a solution for you or at least an easier path to get you to ground zero.
Adam

[spyder]

The 2 springs are different. The thin one does the initial advance at a steeper rate, than the stiffer one engages and smooths out the advance. By the way, that is a smog distributor with the 35 degree curve. You want the one that says 7.5 which equals around 15 degrees of advance so you can bump up your initial timing close to 20 degrees before top dead center and the full advance stays below 35 degrees. That 17.5 advance setup will make the car run like a dog. It is meant to be set at 0 degrees.

[notoptoy]

That spring is no-Bueno. it's bent and broken. you could replace it with about anything and get better results than nothing.
I can send you springs that will replace this, but it will only put it back to stock, and not make any improvements. You need to recurve if you want to get the most out of it.

[Linda]

Broken, bent, disconnected spring doesn't help but you will still need to verify that the distributor is installed correctly.....
I had a broken spring too not too long ago

15336170568450.jpg

Linda

[Lorna c]

That spring is no-Bueno. it's bent and broken. you could replace it with about anything and get better results than nothing.
I can send you springs that will replace this, but it will only put it back to stock, and not make any improvements. You need to recurve if you want to get the most out of it.

What do you mean by like a dog ? It's been acting up lately . Seems as I fix more things more pop up . haha .
How much is an El dizzy thing ? I'm considering a flip . I'm thinking it'll eliminate a couple of my issues Maybe ?

[Lorna c]

Broken, bent, disconnected spring doesn't help but you will still need to verify that the distributor is installed correctly.....
I had a broken spring too not too long ago
15336170568450.jpg
Linda

Yes .this does not fix my issue but it answers some quirks I've been feeling lately that I was messing with other things to try to see what was the cause . I did clean up the insides of the distributor

Ooh another question please ..
How many bearings are in this thing ? Only 3 or 6?? I only have 3 and it sounds like their should be 6 . I'm looking at the slide plate that is between the breaker plates , not the ones on the bottom outside but in the thin plates on those peg kinda things where theirs 3 on one side and one notch on the other side .if that makes sense .. ?? It's not done yet (still) this guy bailed and we'll see if he shows tomorrow . If not I'll get back in there, but ok enough for today I guess so I'll wait for yalls answers .

[Lorna c]

Which is better
Recurve the one I have or get a El dizzy ?
Which would give better performance ?
He's supposed to be back today and I do want to get this thing on the road in the meantime to shoot south and do a train for a roll bar . But I want to do something to this distributor to make it better or something..
Anyway if y'all aren't sick of this subject yet I'd appreciate some feedback on which to do pls .. thanks

[Lorna c]

Well I did some reading on this El distributor and
Why can't anything be just straight forward ? haha options aren't always good .. ergh . I already have a 12v coil and I'll need to recurve my distributor anyway ,correct ? Anyway . I understand now .. no need to elaborate on that . So I guess I'll be getting this thing running well enough to make a trip then order a recurve kit or whatever it's called asap . So . Again thanks for all the help this far .

[AC77]

A question for all. Will a non-smog distributor from a 67 1600 work in Lorna's 68 1600 without any mods?

[Linda]

Yes if it has the original parts, is not worn out, and is installed correctly. And car is re timed to correct specs.
Linda

[Linda]

Lorna,
EI info in the Wiki.
Linda

[AC77]

Yes if it has the original parts, is not worn out, and is installed correctly. And car is re timed to correct specs.
Linda

Thank you. From what I read, that's exactly what I thought.

[Lorna c]

Thanks Linda .
And ac77 who ever you are (ADAM) , THANK YOU BUNCHES ! NOW let's drive .

[Lorna c]

Oh and p.s. the question about both springs needing to be installed . Of course they do , no one is going to waist time or money putting in something unnecessary ,meaning Datsun,. that was just to shut up this so-called mechanic trying to tell me it doesn't need to be in there.. I told him well if They say it needs to go in , it's going in ! cuz he wasn't listening to me.. anyway he probably won't be back for a week or so , it's just his history with being reliable. Thank why I say screw it and get dirty myself . Anyway thanks again for info and help.. I'm solo again in this mission .haha it's better that way believe it or not . Oh and now that spring is mangled ! haha fell off again and got mushed . Ok back when I install the nonsmog distributor .. haha go and hide . Tata for now