Dizzy Recurve

I am changing my 1960 364 over to a 4 bbl intake with Docs mod and an ST400 trans. Will have an St300 converter and 3.20 gearing out back.

Something tells me a different curve in the distributor is warranted, and might as well do the electronic conversion.

Who do I use for this procedure? Thanks guys

 

You may already have the fast curve distributor. Look under the advance plate in your current distributor and see what numbers are stamped there. The image shows what you should be looking for. that 118 means there is 18 degrees of crankshaft advance in that distributor in stock form. That's what you would see on a 1960 - 63 dynaflo equipped 364- 401 distributor. The CCW means the advance plate moves counterclockwise to advance the timing.

 

The distributor in this picture is from a 66 401 which has a very low initial timing setting and 30 degrees of centrifugal advance from the distributor. Not desirable at all from a performance standpoint

 

Awesome. I didn't know they were stamped with that info. Good to know!

 

OK, I will certainly check on that 118 stamping. I had assumed the recurving was somewhat customized for the application given all that I am changing from the car’s original state.

 

You can buy a recurve kit that allows you to change the springs and the weights to get a faster timing advance but if your distributor is one that has too much advanced built into it then it needs modified. If you have the 118 distributor all you got to do is play with the springs. it will already have the proper weights and the proper advance amount built in. typically we're looking for 12 degrees initial and 18- 20 degrees of centrifugal advance

 

.....For a total mechanical advance of about 32 degrees. Set your total mech timing at this figure, then see where your initial falls. More initial timing usually helps low end performance, that's where you'll see the improvement.
To increase the initial timing and keep the total near 32* will require some mods to the advance slot such as a bushing or welding the slot shorter.

 

Everyday Performance does an awesome permanent adjustable mechanical advance limiter modification, absolutely great idea for a low performance distributor.

 

I do in fact have the “118” distributor so I am good there.

thank you for all the info on initial and total advance. Is there some bushing kit with different sizes corresponding to increase in degrees of initial timing?

 

this is the one I used. you already have the good weights so just the springs and advance limiter bushing will be needed. the brass bushing is great because it doesn't eventually fall off like the plastic ones do

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-72310

 

And I just have to experiment with which springs work best? And whether or not I need that bushing?

 

The original bushings have worn or fallen out of almost all of the original distributors by now. This lets the distributor advance far more the the intended mechanical advance. Replacing the bushing corrals that over advance.

 

Ok, understood. Definitely need the bushing.

And what about spring choice? The kit recommended by GranSport has three weights of springs

 

you can mix and match the springs to get the right rate of advance. That's definitely a necessity if you're trying to dial it in exactly.