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I've found the MSD vacuum advance units to run as high as 20 degrees. All you need is 10 for a performance stand point. I've used a screw/nut in the slot to limit it or a threaded hole with screw and shaved washer. Use thread lock.
Bear Tracks - can you tell me more about limiting the advance...or point me toward a video or post? The MSD manual says the vacuum advance only adds 10 degrees max, but I spoke with a tech rep yesterday, and he said that is a "misprint". The actual max vacuum advance is 16 degrees. That seems like an important detail. It also seems bizarre that MSD doesn't have a rough curve of the vacuum advance (vacuum vs degrees advance).
I plan to develop a general vacuum advance curve this weekend with a timing light and a hand pump. But after that, it'll still be hard to determine total advance under different driving conditions. For example, mild acceleration at roughly 2200 RPM is going to give me 15 degrees of mechanical advance (+12 base) and probably still some amount of vacuum advance...but how much? And what about a sustained climb at 3,000 RPM? At that point, my mech is all in at 21 degrees, so any vacuum advance could push me too far.
The engine sounds fine, so I probably shouldn't overcomplicate it!
Is the vacuum can adjustable with a Allen thru the vacuum port?
The factory distributor on my 300 six can be adjusted but it only adjusts at what HG the advance starts to move / work not a total limit.
I would say if total timing is too much then use the bushings on the mechanical weights and let the vacuum do it's thing.
Dave ----
Unfortunately, the vacuum can isn't adjustable on this distributor, and they don't sell an alternative. MSD sells a vacuum advance limiter plate for a different line of distributors...the limiter can apparently be cut and modified to work on this distributor (per a Chevelle forum), but I don't love modifying a brand new distributor. You may be right. Dialing back base or changing the bushing to limit mechanical advance may be the solution. I just need to drive it more, under different conditions, and see how it responds. The new cables arrive today!