Really bogging down in 3rd gear

TylerW is right-on in post#16. It is harder to spark at higher cylinder pressures, which occurs at WOT at low speeds, like going uphill or an interstate on-ramp. My 96 Voyager 2.4L would start missing badly then. Lower the plug gap slightly fixed it, per a Chrysler TSB for the 2.4L turbos. Same deal in my 64 Valiant when I wired +12 V to coil+ to drive it home. It ran fine at idle but starting missing bad >40 mph in 3rd as the coil got real hot.

Re distributor. Better to get an electronic distributor (~1972+) and wire to a GM HEI 8-pin module/coil (85-95 V-8). Look for Aspen, Volare, trucks, & vans at junkyards. If lazy, buy on ebay an TrailBeast kit. You could also retrofit a Pertronix or Holley XR700 to your existing distributor.