I have a 76 and the most I can retard the timing is 12BTDC.. The adjuster screw simply won't allow thew distrib to turn any farther. What can I do?

Remove the distributor, and reposition the plate on the bottom.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

12 BTDC is quite a bit ...

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

There is another adjusting bolt, but you can't really see without removing the distributor. Once you know where it is, it can still be pretty tricky to get at without removing the distributor.

I always turn the crank around to top dead center on the #1 stroke before I pull the distributor.(remove the cap and check that the rotor is pointing at the #1 spark plug wire) This way I am alway very close to correct when putting it back in. Be aware that the rotor will turn counter clockwise (about a 1/4 turn) as you remove the distributor, so you'll need to install it starting in about the same location so the gears will mesh clockwise back to the correct position.

Good luck, it's not nearly as difficult the second time, or the third or fourth, 5, 6, 7 That's what happens when you start experimenting with distributor recurving.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Another easier thing you can do is pull the distributor out and move the shaft one gear tooth over, then reinstall it and see where youre at. It's possible it was installed with the shaft indexed improperly.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.