Okay, for all the distributors out there the original Chrysler one is the best on the market period. Trust me on this one. The other designs out there from the aftermarket use the General Motors design, which also has the same problem, the pick up coil will break because it moves back and forth as the distributor moves the timing, you can only flex metal for so long. Chryslers design lasts 10 times longer than the Generals design, and is far easier to work on. Also we old timers remember that feeler gauges used to be made from regular metal before electronic ignition came along, and the magnet in the pick up will grab the metal feeler gauge and give you a false reading.
The Chrysler electronic is hard to beat. Problem with most aftermarket ignition is when it fails how far are you from home because most likely you will be waiting for buster brown to deliver parts from summit/jegs, I know that most advance or az can get a new pick up coil or ecu later that day or first thing next am even Sundays. My 2 cents.
You use the brass feeler because the pick up is magnetic and would tend to pull on a steel feeler and thus result in a screwed up gap. The brass feeler avoids any problems like that and allows you to set the gap properly.
He jiggled the thermostat. Nothing....
