Can a Stock electronic ignition distributor be modded?

Can a Stock electronic ignition distributor be modded? as in flipping the weights? I would like to do it so I can increase my initial timing while maintaining my total advance. Is it posible and if so how? I could use some tips, if not let me know so I don't waste any more time thinking about it. thank you.

 

I have modded the Duraspark.I have found that the quickest weights and lightest springs are in old points distributors.If you take the distributor apart you will see the weights are marked 8L,10L,12L etc.. the quick weights are the lowest numbers.If memory serves me right most mid 70's have 15L's in them.If you can locate dist from a 1984,85 Mustang 5.0 carb engine they have a pretty decent advance curve.

 

weights just affect base vs. total advance it's the springs that affect when it advances, so it can be done. Has anyone just flipped the weights? Are weights and springs interchangable between differant generations of distributors?

 

http://my67mustang.synthasite.com/duraspark-ii.php
http://www.carbdford.com/viewtopic.php?t=5543

 

Mr gasket used to sell a recurve kit

 

all I can find now are the springs, no weights...

 

Those numbers refer to the degrees of advance and relate to the width of the slots, which limit how far the shaft can rotate.

 

You don't need to replace anything. All you need is a screwdriver and a little time. I've done this on several duraspark distributors and it works great. When you take the cap off of the distributor there is a plate that the magnetic pickup is attached to. If you look at the plate there is a small square hole in it. Rotate the engine until you can see (through th esquare hole) a little tab that one of the springs goes around. There are two, one light spring and one heavy spring. Take your screwdriver and bend the tab in towards the center of the distributor and test with a timing light. Keep experimenting until you get it the way you want. Works like a charm and it's free! If you want to take it a step farther you can lock out the vacuum advance and make it all mechanical and then it's even simpler to tune.

 

the tabs are relative to the spring change by effecting when you get total not the differance between base vs total

 

Have you tried it? I adjusted mine to give me 18 at idle and 38 total and the total came in quick.

 

I just checked my timing, 8 initial and 24 at 3000rpms and 34 total... the timing will go up more if I rev it higher... this was my first time setting the rpms to 3000 than check the timing... I should be able to gain 26 degrees through mechanical advancement. Does anyone know if I can get springs locally? I'm kinda temped to pull the heavy one... or maybe take it to a hardware store and see if there are any that have the same dimensions but lighter...

 

I would run alot more initial, probably 13-15 degrees. Don't be afraid to experiment with my method of bending the tabs. Bending the one that holds the small spring should give you some more initial. You can always bend them back if you dont like it.

 

I just want to do it the proper way, if I loosen the light spring it wount return at idle. the heavy one is'nt even engaged at idle, so I could bend the heavy tab in or replace the heavy spring with a lighter one... I don't know.

 

Just because you spend money to replace a spring with a different one doesn't mean it's more proper than a different method. I've done this dozens of times. How many times have you recurved a distributor? Sounds like your first time because you're asking for advice. I'm not trying to pick a fight or anything but just open your mind up to some new ideas. I learned this trick from a guy who probably did the same thing to probably hundreds of distributors.

 

I wasen't nocking your method I am asking about a different method thats all.