welding the slots was the old tried and true way to reduce distributor degrees. a distributor machine is a very big help in setting up the curve. keep in mind that .015" of slot length is one distributor degree. the guide pin in the centrifugal weight is very close to .250". a person could easily due the math to figure out the distributor degrees they want and have. i don't know why i even bought those plates. i've got enough parts and experience with this to do anything i want.