[Steve Shively]

Picked up a used distributor from a guy on Facebook, it is missing one the weights & spring, my question is can I replace the missing one from a different distributor? I also have Moroso curve kit. It is a 1972 455 4 BBL application. Thanks!

[steve25]

Is it points or HEI, if original it should be points.

In terms of that re-curve kit, throw away the lightest springs ( there useless garbage! ) in the kit and after lubing the 4 pivot points install the weights and the medium springs and then test out your timing.

You do not want any mechanical or vacuum advance to take place at whatever your idle rpm is and you don’t want to hear any part throttle and especially full throttle pinging once your on the road and testing.


If you hear any ping at heavy loads at part throttle then swap in the kits heavy springs or even a combo of medium and heavy.

Be sure that the vacuum advance works as this not only helps with throttle response and part throttle gas mileage, but engine temps also.
If you don’t have a timing tape on your balancer to check with then at least make a mark 2 1/8” around and that will be 36 degrees.

With a low comp 72 motor 36 is about all the mechanical advance timing you want to run depending on the octane you use and how your carb is jetted and what cam you might have in the motor.

With old used point type Dizzy be sure to look at and replace the under the advance plate wire that goes to the points.

Many times they are dry rotted to the point that the wires insulation is gone and then the wire shorts out when the vacuum advance works and kills the spark.

[Steve Shively]

Thank you, sir!

[steve25]

Welcome!