Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1954 inline 235 ignition, vacuum advance, vacuum lines

Question
QUESTION: Hey Brad, I want to get rid of the vacuum advance system on my ignition and go electronic. I want to keep the fuel pump and original carb. 2 Questions. What type of distributor and coil would I use? Second, I plug up the ports on the carb and fuel pump where the vacuum lines were connected . Is that the way to go to rid myself of the Vacuum system?

ANSWER: Ok, the only way to get rid of the vacuum system is to convert the engine control system to a complete compuyter controlled system. The computer set up with all the appropriate sensors then will not only provide electronic ignition but will control spark timing as well. The vacuum system if disconnected will effect perfomance and fuel economy. However you can convert the ignition system to an electonic system eliminating the ignition points but the sytem will still need the mechanical spark advance in the distributor as well as the vacuum advance system. The site to check on the electronic system is www.pertronix.com.

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QUESTION: Your a life saver for the previous Q&A. I understand the vacuum thing now. Now can you point me to the mechanical spark advance? Teach me Brad, teach me so I may teach it to others....

Answer
The centrifugal advance is housed in the distributor. It is a set of centrifugal weights that throw out at higher engine speed and advance the cam in the distributor. The fuel in the cylinder only burns at one peed. All the fuel is supposed to be burned by the time the piston is at about 23 degrees past top dead center . This applies maximum down pressure on the connecting rod and crankshaft, just like pedaling a bike. So for this to happen at higher engine speed the fuel has to be ignited long before the piston gets to top dead center. At normal cruise speed in a modern engine the fuel is ignited at 40 or more degrees before TDC.
Are you an auto shop teacher? I was for 50 or so years.
Brad