When I saw Steve69’s engine compartment, it reminded me about the Mallory Unilite distributor I had used in the past.

So I dug it out of storage to verify my lack of knowledge and understanding of timing about 29 years ago.
I was having overheating issues for a couple of years even after doin’ the “usual stuff” to fix it.

I started backing my timing down.
Eventually I converted to Duraspark distributor and aftermarket ignition system.
Problem solved…until I started backing the timing down on that setup as well.

Finally it dawned on me that I was doing things backwards.
Some magazine article made me think about the 70’s emissions and how retarded timing increases engine temperatures for “cleaner burning”.

Mallory distributor came with a “timing key” to set stops for mechanical advance.
In pictures, you can see that I had it smaller than the smallest setting.
Therefore, it was my misunderstanding of timing that caused me problems for a couple of years.

Gaba did a very nice write up on Duraspark distributor setup recently.

Hope this can help someone else from making the same mistake I did.

BTW, if you don’t have a timing light…get one!!!
My first was just a basic light and I used a timing tape for my harmonic balancer.
It’s what I could afford, still works too.