Dual point distributor question

OK, first, I can't find my old literature ( EDIT here:)

[ame]http://www.carid.com/images/mallory/info/catalogue.pdf[/ame]

Go to page 20, photo posted at bottom


There were two main diversions of 4 lobe distributors.

1---Pull off the cap and make SURE whether it is a 4 lobe or 8 lobe

2--If it is a 4 lobe, seriously consider going a different route. I believe Pertronix may make a module for these. However, the Mallory catalog no longer lists a dist. cap for them. (EDIT see second post below)

A--One type of 4 lobe / 8 cylinder was the "double life" which uses one set of points to fire 1/2 the engine cylinders, and the other set to fire the other half. In other words, the points alternate firing

B--Second type is "rev pole" which used a special coil, was supposed to be similar to the "du-coil" (dual coil) setup

Again, if you have either of these, consider getting something else

Here's the thing about a 4 lobe:

Ever tuned up a twin cylinder anything with two points? One set of points fires one cylinder, the other set fires the remaining cylinder. Changing dwell (point gap) also changes TIMING. This means that if you get the gap/ timing set on one cylinder, now you must set the other points so that the TIMING for the second cylinder is the same for the second cylinder as the first

The ONLY ways I know to get a 4 lobe dual-life set up properly is to either use a distributor machine, or "on the engine" do the following:


1---Determine which points fires no1 cylinder. Set the dwell/ gap on that cylinder, and "rough" in the second set. To set dwell on each set, you'll need to block the opposite set open with cardboard, and adjust them, then check "on the starter" for proper dwell

2--With everything "normalled up," set the timing on no1 cylinder at smooth idle for some specific number which you can duplicate and see well on the marks

3--Use a piston stop to "make" a temporary timing mark for a cylinder on the second set of points like say cylinder no 3. Make this mark just as you would for no1, except use no3 cylinder, and make a mark you can see with the timing light. Now check timing on that no3 cylinder with your made mark, and diddle with the gap on the second set of points until the timing on no3 is the same as what you set no1 to. DO NOT move the distributor during this process. Change ONLY the gap on the secondary set of points

4--Last, reset the timing to wherever you really want it to be on the no3 cylinder by rotating the distributor as per normal, and for good measure, re re re check no6 to be sure it matches no1

Sound like fun? Maybe when I was 26. Not when I'm 65

At the very bottom is a screen shot out of page 20 of the catalog