First off let me say I know little about the inner workings of a distributor other than it takes power from the coil and distributes it to the spark plugs. When we talk about curve and spring pressure its pretty much greek to me but I am reading a lot on it. I have a factory, at least I think it is, model 3690788. It is presently on a newly rebuilt 170 motor with recently added super six and hei conversion. I am working out some fine tuning issues, maybe timing or carburator, not sure yet. In any event as I look at the distributor I notice that the pick is not exactly square to the reluctor. In other words the gap is a bit closer at the top than at the bottom. The magnet also has an upward tilt to it. When you press down on the spring you can get it to look level but in its regular position it is not. The long winded question here is, is this normal and if not what could be wrong and what are the fixes. Thank you for your input...Mark

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If only I had the time to do what I want to do instead of what I have to do!

If the gap is OK and the reluctor is not contacting the pickup tooth and you can confirm with a multimeter that the pickup is doing it's job-insert probes into the pigtail, set to ohms and twirl the gear and watch the values, if good it will go from a low value - about 80-150 ohms to about 450 ohms.

You can use a clamp/grip/pump pliers to 'realign' the pickup just be careful when prying on it or you can damage the wiring or the vacc. advance arm...you can also buy new pickups (order at your local auto parts shop) and replace.

This is the arbitrary number stamped on remamufactured vacc. advance cans...it does not match /6 distributor assembly numbers (3755037-3755042 for 1973). The distributor if stock would have a stamped plate under one screw in the body that has a date code and parts number on it.

-D.Idiot

Thank you Duster. I will do that check. Sorry to hear about my distributor being a rebuilt one. Thought I might get lucky. Half of my current issues have to do with a rebuilt carburator I am sure. I will post those issues in the appropriate forum...thanks again, Mark

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If only I had the time to do what I want to do instead of what I have to do!