distributor Q. single or dual points

[2002phil]

I finally have my motor back in the 78 spider and I'm getting things hooked up. Many part to go through as this car was in pieces and sat for 10 years. PO did me no favors.
So the distributor(s) I have two. One is dual points and the other a single point type. Any recommendations ? I've always thought the dual points were a PIA to set but seems to be what came on the North American cars. The single points dist. has no where to mount the condenser. Where does that go, the firewall? if so I'll need a longer wire.
Vacuum advance? neither dist has one. They are strictly mechanical advance?
The dist clamp. looks like you have to fit it and the nut on as you install the distributor or they aint going on.

Thanks in advance.
Phil V.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I have two. One is dual points and the other a single point type. Any recommendations ?

Spiders from 1973 through 1978 used dual points, but single point distributors will make your life easier. I believe the preferred solution is to use a single point distributor and connect the two wires coming from the firewall together, attaching them to the single "input" wire of the distributor (the internal wire that goes to the points and the condenser).

The single points dist. has no where to mount the condenser. Where does that go, the firewall? if so I'll need a longer wire.

My recollection is that dual point distributors had the condensers mounted underneath the distributor base, while single point version mounted the condenser (and points) inside the distributor, under the rotating plate. It's possible some versions mounted them elsewhere, like near the coil.

Vacuum advance? neither dist has one. They are strictly mechanical advance?

That should be fine. Some years had only mechanical, and some had mechanical and vacuum. As long as you can set your timing to around 10 degrees BTDC at idle and have it advance to about 35 degrees at 3000 rpm and up, you're good.

The dist clamp. looks like you have to fit it and the nut on as you install the distributor or they aint going on.

It's a minor design flaw. You have to lift the distributor up slightly out of the cambox before you can install the clamp and nut. An annoyance, but it's normal. If you wanted, you could replace the stud with a slightly shorter version.

-Bryan

[2002phil]

Thanks, a lot of helpful information.