idiots guide to ignition improvement for moggie 1000?

[xpress]

was talking to a guy the other day about resistance and good plugs are ones that aren't too resistant, the non R ones?

i have champion plugs, what ones do you recommend?

onto ht leads, what are the best ones, copper ones or more modern ones? ones with lower resistance, does anyone have any recommendations?

i took a look at my 25d distributor today. i saw a big screw that looked a bit chewed on the inside, it was a flat head screw, is that the one to undo to move the points gap and also to undo the points to replace? what do i undo to change the advance/retard? i see this a/r on the bottom left scribed on there and below this there's a thing screwed in on the top of a thread that if i nudge it slightly it seems to move the vaccuum advance around left and right? any other things i need to know? this is quite fun learning and poking around! what would i have to do if i fitted an accuspark? i really want a good spark. i have had a few times when she wouldn't start but other times she's as good as gold. admittedly, the times when she wasn't behaving was when it was colder and darker evening time, and condensation was on the windows of the cars, perhaps there was some moisture in the cap, do people have gaskets on these caps or smear some sealant/hylomar arond the opening?

can i test pinging under load if i get into fourth gear full throttle, if i hear pinging then i retard the advance back a bit, basically moving the direction of the rotor arm to retard?

sorry about the questions just trying to get a heads up. putting my head into haynes as we speak.

thanks for your help.

[beero]

There is a lot of very good info here
http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/ignitiontext.htm
I know it is an MGB site but they use the same distributors and its all the same principles.
It is a highly respected site amongst MG owners

[xpress]

cheers for this beero. this is reet good this is.

[bmcecosse]

Champion plugs are excellent - no worries there. I use N6Y plugs in my engine - but it's not standard - N9Y or perhaps N7Y in a standard engine will be fine. Yes - advance the timing till it pinks in top gear - then retard slightly. you must NOT let it pink in normal use.

[Declan_Burns]

Excellent site Beero!
Thanks
Regards
Declan