When was the last Dual Point Distributor in a Vette ? Were they that much better than a single ?

 

1962....looking for one? I have one if you or anyone else is interested...

 

Dual piont sets were used to allow the ignition coil to charge longer for a hotter spark. The best solution is a Pertronix Ignitor elecronic conversion, way more coil dwell time than even dual points.

 

Unless you like the retro look and equipment, there's no reason not to go with newer technology.

Adjusting dual points can be a pain as well.

 

Mallory still makes nice brand new billet dual point distributors, in both vacuum and non-vacuum types, and Summit carries them. A nice thing about these, is that you can almost infinitely adjust the mechanical advance. And no bushings are needed, just adjust it. Quite nice in that regard. Not sure about a tach drive version though. Setting the points on a dual point is no different than setting them on a single point setup, if you use a feeler gauge on clean and smooth points. You simply do it twice, that's all. Personally, I've never made any attempt at trying to use a dwell meter on one though. Using a feeler gauge or a round wire gauge like for spark plugs is no biggie.

If you are an old school type like me, this might be what you'd want, and they offer fine performance while they're at it. I recently dyno'd my 540 BBC, while using a Mallory Dual Point distributor. Worked just fine, making 781 hp and 710 ft lbs. Only spun it up to 6700 rpm, but with proper jetting, it ran clean all the way up to there. Just keep spark plug gap to no more than .028, and things should be good to go. Heck, 427Hotrod used to turn his big block over 7000 rpm with a "single" point distributor. So, other than not having a rev limiter, which neither he nor I want or use, what's not to like?

Some folks have been stranded and got to enjoy a flatbed ride home, when their super duper modern high tech electronic distributors inexplicably failed on them without any warning. Sure, a dual point distributor is not all high tech electronic, but I like mechanical things and I know it will always get me home. And I enjoy the periodic tuning that goes along with points, its all part of the fun. It may not be for everyone, but I like it, and it works fine for me.

 

I had a dual points on mine when I bought the car, an Accel. I decided I wanted the old one back on, so that I could have the tach back, so I sent it to Lars and he rebuilt it. I kept the dual, might use it some time or another...