Hello Friends. It's been nearly a year since I posted here. It took me a few days to get back into the forum because I forgot what e-mail address I used to join originally. But I finally figured it out.

My question is dealing with my current distributer. I have a Frankenstein Super Six in a '74 Dodge Dart. Last year I converted over to a MSD sending unit and coil and it really gave the motor a little pep in my opinion. However, I am experiencing some mild timing issues.

Here's my dilemma. The Dart has become my daily driver due to my other car needing over $1500 in repair. And I am broke these days like most everyone else. My current distributer looks to be probably a rebuilt unit. Not the best option by any means.

But the thing that is driving me nuts is that the distributer currently on my engine is not fully adjustable. The adjustment at the bottom only allows me a 1/4 movement or so in either direction. And my timing is mildly retarded causing a rough idle in drive and a high idle in park.

I need a fully adjustable distributer because I need to advance the distributer a couple of teeth counter clockwise by my estimations but I run out of adjustment. I have seen distributers that allow a 360 degree rotation but like I said, the one currently on my car is barely adjustable.

I was looking at a Mallory but it is almost $400. And I really do not have that kind of cash right now. Does anyone know of a cheaper and fully adjustable distributer out there on the market anywhere. Whenever I look online, I cannot tell by the photos how adjustable the units are. The photos do not show the bottom adjustment pivot and the descriptions do not mention it.

Any help is highly appreciated.

Just a thought, but. I your timing is that far off, you might back the distributor out and move the shaft one tooth over.

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66 Valiant, 225.
84 Van, 225.
71 Maxi-Van, 318
60 Valiant wagon, 225
87 Maxi-Van, 318 4spd

I agree.

It takes some patience, but with the slots on both ends of the distributor plate combined with a tooth this way or that, you should be able to achieve any timing spec you wish using the stock distributor.

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O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston

You are looking for a 1979+ slant six...car/truck/van....
They use the "ring" style hold down like the big block cars have.
you will need the bolt, the "claw", and the ring under the distributor,
if it's an EI and not a ESC distributor, might as well grab it too for some recurve fun.

I just installed this one on the 1963 block I reworked and it's nice to be able to loosen and twist my advance when dialing it in, instead of using the angle wrench and moving the slot to suit.

Good Luck,

-D.Idiot

Check you timing chain. It might be worn out.
The Mallory doesn't have vacuum advance. Not a good choice for Road use. It would likely be fine in town.
I run a Mallory Unilite and MSD6A box.

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Hey guys. Thanks for all of the advice. I like "DusterIdiot's" idea because the timing chain is practically brand new and shouldn't be an issue. And trying to back that distributor out and and realign it manually was already attempted for hours and I nearly ran to the nearest mountain to jump off the highest peak. LOL. I'll pick up a later model distro for a 225 and let you guys know my results.