Hi issues,
The distributor drive bore is the same from 64 - 83 (last year), so any of these distributors can be used in any car. There were three types used, the dual vacuum (thru 1967 ?), the dual advance (single vacuum + centrifugal) - 68 to 73, and the electronic / Duraspark. The early Duraspark had a small cap and looked very much like the standard dizzy. The Duraspark II was introduced in 76 (large cap). However, the 1978 and later DSII is reported to be the better choice by those who use them.
The dizzy you are looking for is the 68 - 73 dual advance, which is often referred to as the single vac unit. While any parts store should be able to provide you with a single vac unit, you should be able to find a rebuilder in the local yellow pages. If not, ask the parts store you go to who their rebuilder is and go direct.
Regarding setting up the dizzy, volumes have been written. The short version is that the 200 I6 likes a lot of initial advance. The car simply does not idle well without it. This is even more important if you have an automatic car. My recommendation, after much experimentation and headache, is to purchase a 68-73 dual advance dizzy with the internal advance limited to 10* (order it that way even if you have to go to the rebuilder, or a speed shop, to find a knowledgable person). 10* internal will give you 20* at the crank. Then you can set the initial advance (the idle number) at whatever is needed to give you a good idle. I use 15*. 15* initial plus 20* mechanical will give you 35* all in. The initial can then be adjusted up or down to control WOT ping. What you want is all the initial you can use without ping. In my experience you will find the correct all-in for your car somewhere between 34* & 38*. If you go this way you WILL NOT NEED THE VACUUM ADVANCE AT ALL. As a matter of fact, I recommend that you don't use it. Simply cap the vac ports at both the dizzy and the carb / manifold (DO NOT REMOVE THE VAC - JUST CAP THE ENDS).
Next recommendation. Electronic ignition via Pertronix II with Flamethrower II coil. This system allows you to eliminate the ballast resistor in the stock ignition system so you can use a 12 volt coil (stock is 6 even with the DS II). Additionally, the Pertronix II includes a dwell control module to insure best spark duration at all rpm's. The DS II has been out of production since 1983, so it does not provide these advantages. Best of all, the Pertronix takes only 20 - 30 minutes to install (no rewireing other than the removal of the resistor), and is very reliable.
This is probably more info than you needed, or wanted, but my experience with the ignition issues related to the early 200 I6 was so frustrating, and so expensive by the time it was fixed, I feel the need to tell my story at evey opportunity.
Enjoy the trip - Steve
its about to drive me nuts
thats the one.
