Ok we have put a 350small block into my dads '80 Datsun 4X4 and hes been driving it for a few months. Because of a lack of clearence he is running a points distributor. It almost seems like we wired it wrong and it either ruins the condensor and/or points real fast. If I turn the key to the "ON" position with the truck not running, and open up the points there is a blue arc across them...isnt the condensor supposed to absorb this energy so you don't see an arc!? What could we have wired wrong that lets it run, but makes the ignition system crap out? Thanks

Did you use a ballast resistor in the installation?

Yep used one of those. I "think" I figured it out though. We kept setting the point gap to a "rough" .017"-.018" thinking a gap is a gap :rolleyes: Today I set it to .016" which I thought I did a pretty accurate job....same thing, it ran rough, but then with it running I turned that screw for the dwell(point gap), counter clock wise, and it actually smoothed up and raised the RPM's! It seems to be pretty touchy, but I think that was the problem.

When you change the gap/dwell of ignition points the ignition timing changes. Everytime you make a dwell adjustment, reset the timing.
Be sure you have your ballast resister is wired in the system properly. There should be no "arcing" of the contact points when they are in their open position.