I was researching the forum today about distributor recurving to realize better fuel economy (not that my car sucks fuel--I'm average 24.2 MPG so far this year in my '64 Valiant). This is something I've never messed with.

I have a stock distributor with a Pertronix unit. From what I gleaned fro the forum, the objective is to obtain about 30 degrees total advance (initial timing as viewed with a timing light at the damper + mechanical advance via the distributor).

I haven't checked the ratings of the mechanical advance unit on my distributor. Since I usually run about 10 degrees BTDC timing as viewed with a timing light at the damper, and as the distributor mechanical advance units are usually labeled as (9X, 11X, and 15X) my supposition is that if my mechanical advance unit is rated at 11X I have total advance of (10 + 2 x 11) = 32 degrees and therefore stand no chance of twiddling with the advance to gain better fuel economy yields (?)

That's pretty good mpgs, there. Have you used a dial back type timing light to confirm your total advance timing?

sb

No. I have no idea as to what a "dial-back timing light" is.

The car under consideration is a stock three-speed '64 Valiant, 225 with Carter BBS, Pertronix, 3:55 rear end, 187K original miles with OEM 44 year-old clutch (!), larger exhaust and K&N air filter.

The forum pundits submit that my MPG is abnormally high because of the hot Arizona climate.

Tiss true, the heat helps....

Get a 11R vacuum advance and then you can hit 52 degrees advance.

Here is my set up. It should work fine for you.

New electronic Distributor re-curved with a red primary spring and extra long looped secondary spring from a 400 distributor. 340 distributors are good to rob springs from too. Using a 15R governor with a 11R V8 vacuum advance screwed in 4 turns, (VC-208 11R can $10.26 at www.rockauto.com). Blue Streak cap, MO-3000 Echlin rotor, Chrome Blaster 2 coil and 8mm Blue Summit wires, NGK UR4/6630 plugs gapped at .040. Timing set at 16 degrees initial, 16 degrees mechanical and 20 degrees with the vacuum advance for a 52 degree total at 2500 rpm.

For cruise at 50 mph I am 2000 rpm, at 60 mph I am 2500 rpm. On the freeway I am between 65 and 70 mph.

_________________
Aggressive Ted

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74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG