You also might want to think about a dizzy from a place like FBO. They set up the distributor based on the engine requirements and you're good to go.

Yes 30 crank deg from the plate is going to b way too much. I'm thinking you do not want to mess w brazing the slots shorter so I'd get the plate from FBO (should b cheap) that lets you limit the adv & want 8.5 in the dist (17 at crank) along w your 18 initial. I think if your idle sp is below where the curve starts you will b good and I'd actually snip 1 coil off of 1 end of each of the OE springs (snip 1 end only of each spring) which'd slightly raise the kick in point then w your needlenose pliers bend a new loop out like it was. You've gotta alot of info coming at ya , holler how it turns out & what the solution ends up being

Hi

Been quite busy today I did change the springs Ran it at 18 seem very rough running was smooter than that before. I'm doing a oil change in the morning and will check total then. I did put 1 OE back in the other was in pretty bad shape. So i put a new light one in probably not the right thing will check see what happens. Of coarse The carb might need some work after this. will see keep you informed. If you think what i did was wrong let me know I can order a new spring. Theres a speed shop in a couple towns over that can run that on a dist machine. Probably worth the money. Let me know Kevin

Will let you know tomorrow late morning see how things go. Thanks for all your help everyone. When i tried to start it left the dist where it was before didn't want to start advanced the dist started right up when i put the timing light on it damper read 25 put it back to original mark wouldn't start wierd any idea So when it was running put the marks back to 18 ran ok while idling so wouldn't start at 18 but would idle at 18 ok

starts at 25 & runs ok at 25 but wont start at 18 but runs ok at 18. Not sure where to go from here

When I get back tomorrow will spend more time with it. Let you know.

You're shooting in the dark 'cause you didn't figure out what was going on inside.
The only thing you changed by changing springs was the shape of the curve.
My suggestion is either
a) take the dizzy to the distributor machine and pay the man to work on it.
b) Call FBO and have him send you a distributor.
c) get some paper and pencil, measure, and figure out what is going on so you can make the changes needed.
- since its on the car, start by measuring the curve with the timing light. With the car running, set the timing whereever it runs OK. Measure the timing at as low of an rpm as possible, then measure every 100 or 200 or even 250 rpm until it stops advancing. Use the throttle screw if you dont ahve a helper. Reset your idle speed and PLOT the curve on graph paper or a spreadsheet program while the engine is cooling down.
- Take the distributor apart and move the weights to see when the springs engage. Check the pins in the slots for side play. Measure the starting points of the slots - compare with the other plate you have. Examine the springs to see if the lengths are different from the other distributor. Measure and write it down.
- With the above, you can then figure out what is going on and what needs to be done.
- You may still want to take it to the distributor shop because using two short loop springs in that slot take some time and experimentation to get the 18 at idle. It will never be a stable timing at idle for reasons I explained earlier. Also idle timing will be different than your initial as explained before. This will make more sense after you plot out the curve.
- If you happen to have a super heavy long loop spring of just the right loop length, you may be able to use the 30 degree slots as is. This is still a lot of testing easier done on the machine.
- the simple way to set up the distributor is to shorten or buy the slots needed for this motor. Knowing which side of the slots to shorten depends on the relation of the springs, weights and slots.

Ok Checked the dist getting about 28 total. I;ve decided to order a new Dist from fpo I really want to get this right finally. Its to nice of a car to cheap out. Will let you know how i make out. I really
apppreciate all the influence from everyone Thanks Kevin

I Purchased a new Dist setup from FPO Yesterday. With spring coming didn't want to mess to long. P/up ECU Coil Dist Wires. When I get it will let you guys know how i made out. Kevin

Well been working alot lately Had a chance to work somemore on the engine. I haven't received the new dist yet so I figure i'd look at what i had. Checked around the intake and noticed DS by #6 was leaking did not notice before. Pulled the intake of the car cleaned everything up put a straight edge on the intake and the heads. Everything good The old gaskets were metal type. Put a better set of gaskets on. and checked the carb while off floats needed adjustment. Carb still not right. But runs better my vacuum is now at 10in my int timing is 18 and my total is 37 My idle is 800rpm Starts better there is i reduse my int timimg say 14 can get 35 but hard starting. I thing with a better carb would solve my problems. Kevin

PS When I hooked the vaccuum gauge to the carb got a vaccuum reading of 5in on the venturi port.

Progress! Gonna be interesting to see what specs Don plugs into your dist. Do get the timing taken care of b 4 the carb

Will Do It is burning rich right now I pulled all the plugs 2-4-6-8

were all fouled dry. 1-5-7 were good 3 was fouled dry put new plugs in today helped but wondering about the carb.

set the floats (slight dribble w you rock the car when it's idling)/check for blown power valve/jetting in the ballpark. Yes dist/timing 1st but dont want the carb way out of whack EDIT I'm assuming they're fouled from working the throttle (accel pump) alot as you've been working on this quite abit

Ok

Worked on the Carb today I pulled the carb off. A freind let me borrow a good card today. When I pulled mine off the top of the gasket was gas soaked. So I had another gasket to put on. Put my freinds on really didn't perform any better than mine This was a holley 750 double pumper way to much carb for my car. So I pulled it off and there was no gas on the gasket put mine back using same gasket Adjusted the floats and the Idle air screws actually ran pretty good. No hesitation at all My int at 18 vac 14 mechanical advance or total was around 40 stil not to good Hope its better with new carb from FPO.

Well got everything put in and was able to get running. I tried to keep my Int at 18 but was having trouble get my total at 34. When i set my total at 34 my int was 25 could back timing off but didn't seem to run as good. Any idea's must be doing something wrong. It does start right up when i leave it where int at 25 runs very rich lots of blue smoke out back. Ok let me know Kevin

set the initial at 18 & adj/file the slots (not famil w Dons dizzys) to get 34 total (both set w vac adv disconnected/plugged)

He told me on the phone that it will be all set up ready to go and install. Did not have to do anything will call him in morning. Will let you know. Kevin

Well got the Distributor adj. Int 19 Total 34 idle 800 vaccuum 8in. Will need a new carb I believe don't know much about them. Turn mixture screws all the way in keeps running. Adjusted the floats front and rear rocks it alittle bit of gas comes out. Starts right up looking in carb it is dry . Tried to adjust screws dont do anything at all.holley 750 single feed Probably to much carb for engine.

Well got Distributor working right. Now will need to update my 750 single feed carb. nOT IN GOOD SHAPE PLUGS ARE BURNING RICH. What carb would work good for my engine.

340
LD340
X-heads
trw pistons 40 over
h-beamm rods
stock crank

Thinking maybe holley 650 DP any thought's