I'd like to write about the evloution of the ignition system now used on the flathead and the tuning of the fuel system. For me it dates back to the early 70's and at that time i was racing and eliminated the Vacuum advance. I first saw a SBC dist in a flathead back about that time. The idea of a simple inexpensive distributor that could be controlled by some bushings and springs. It was hard to beat, after all it ran a SBC up to 7 Grand. I didn't start using the vac adv until I built a 296 for Ron H. He send my dist out to be converted to electronic and an adj. vac/ advance. I learned allot from this, the engine provided fantastic acceleration and 20 MPG .
Next came Richard from Florida. I built an engine for him over the Phone. He got interested in the ignition systems and carburetors as well. His experiments have given us the Data we have now to improve the running of these engines. He did this by building a" Road rig". A box with an AF meter.tack, Timing light video and vacuum gauge. This was all copied with a video camera. Mounted in the passenger seat , ir
recorded every thing the engine did. With this information , he developed the tuning specs I and others use to tune the engines, along with an adjustable Mech. adv.
He sold the car, bought a Camro and now has a Ham radio set in his house. I still call him every once in awhile to see how he doing. Oh Ya, he also built a coupla airplanes and ran a recording studio.