I'm running HIF4, mixture setup is rather different and so no nuts to tighten up either.
I think I found the cause of the rough running tonight. Turns out that the clip for the distributor had punched a hole in the cap. Not a massive hole but one big enough for oil and crap to get in. The bit that broke off also got wedged between the body and condenser. No doubt restricting movement when vac advancing.
I forgot to take a picture of the cap but you can see the remanence of the cap here. I'll take a picture tomorrow if I remember.
Naturally the plugs were pretty carboned up.
Put a set of new distributor doctor points, condenser and rotor arm in the replacement second hand distributor. Also had a new QH cap too that is reckoned to be higher quality. That little lot cost me just under 35 quid from Moss. Better bloody be good. I already had bought these bits before cros sent me the collection of bits.
Also tested the vac advance with a red box Chinese vacuum pump. Moved the plate freely and reasonably smoothly. Held pressure too.
Timed up the distributor statically. I find this way with a DMM a bit easier than a test light.
Went for a drive and it's idling better. Idle has actually raised up to around 1000rpm, from ~800rpm. So must be a bit happier and running more efficiently with this distributor that the crappy Chinese unit. No surprise there really - not least as the Chinese unit has a hole in the dizzy cap.
Checked the oil when I got back ... it's nommed it all again.
Weird thing is that when it does, it sits right at the minimum mark?
Finally...
Long stick
Short stick
An idea of size difference
Fits my arm position much better than the original.
Despite it being shorter, it isn't that much harder to shift. But the engaged feels more positive and direct. Not driven it yet though, so we will see.
It does make the gear change feel slightly more modern though. Easy enough to change back if I don't like it though.