[Roadsters] [Fwd: Re: distributors]

[Durf & Sue Hyson]

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The springs may not do much with the distributor at rest (not spinning) 
When it spins centrifugal force makes the weights in the advance 
mechanism swing out away from their resting position. The different 
tension of the two springs controls the speed and amount the weights 
move out until the dizzy is spinning at the speed that gives maximum 
advance. This process of controlling the weights differently is what 
gives you the spark advance "curve" that you hear about . If you still 
have the dizzy out and the springs off try giving the shaft a sudden 
spin with your fingers in the direction in normally rotates . You will 
see how the weights fly out and how the springs would restrict them .
Tuning the advance curve with different weights and springs used to be a 
real common thing.. It is usually done on a distributor testing machine 
so you can see and record what you end up with for an advance curve. If 
you run both light springs you are going to make the dizzy get to 
maximum advance at a lower RPM. This should lead to the car feeling 
snappier and the engine being quicker or more willing to rev . The thing 
you must be extremely careful about is that all that advance may make 
the engine ping and/or detonate. This will  , in a relatively short 
period of time , kill the engine. I for one wouldn't try it but you 
should consult some more regular roadster tuners as I am primarily an 
L-series  , ex-roadster guy .  The characteristics of what advance curve 
an engine is happy with vary from engine type to engine type . Even 
within an engine family things like compression , carb/s , and cams will 
make the best curve different . This is why I defer to the people who 
fool with roadster engines all the time for advice on exactly what 
springs you should run .

Thanks,
Durf


Patti Dwinell wrote:
> Gary,
> My distributor has two springs of different sizes...one rather hefty wire with
> 4 windings and the other rather thin wire with 8 windings.  They are both the
> same length. The hefty one was not putting any tension on the governor weight
> what-so-ever.