I currently have no distributor to use, so in your opinions what would be my best route. Should I look for a used stock one, a Summit stock replacement, an aftermarket upgrade? Also what does curving to match mean?
Hi,
In answer to:
"Should I look for a used stock one, a Summit stock replacement, an after market upgrade?"
A good used dizzy (distributor) is perfectly fine. As long as, it has been cleaned, and any suspect wear items replaced. This is, usually, for those wanting to stay more period correct or have one laying around. I have been running a "period correct" in my highly modified engine for many years with total success. I have run the Mallory Unilites (after-market), as well. Why did I change? Only because I didn't like the "red" cap! Although, I think now you can get them with a black cap. However, even new, I had it checked out to determine it's "curve" rate, it's stability, and custom curved (explanation later). It had electronic points.
A Summit or after market distributors are, typically, OK and easy to find. I,as others, will advise, get an electronic version without points. Installing it, requires another set of skills and knowledge.
Regarding "curving to match";
This is a reference to how ignition timing advances relative to engine RPMs when accelerating. There is a specific correlation between the two. "Curving to match" can be viewed in a couple of different ways. The simpler version is, there are certain bench mark degrees that should be attained as engine RPMs increase.
For example, at idle an engine may require 10 degrees of advance, at 1500 Rs, 12 degrees, so on, up to 3400Rs with a total of 36 deg. The act of making sure your dizzy attains the benchmarks, for which it was designed, can be construed as "curving to match" from a stock perspective.
However, in the interest of performance, "curving to match" can take on a whole perspective.
I hope this clarifies without confusion. What might seem a simple question can open a "Pandora's box".
Happy Motoring!