Thanks guys, It turns out the shaft was bent... got a new dizzy in now and it works sweet

i have seen one lobe worn more than others. It is not common but can happen. Just replace the distributor. Or better yet convert to electronic ignition.

Sounds like the dizzy shaft is bent or worn.

I couldn't see the lobes wearing on one side more than another.

Maybe take out your dizzy and check the main shaft for play.

I discovered my engine was running on 3 cylinders because there is no spark getting to #3

So.. I popped the top of the dizzy to have a look at the points. It seems that the points are not opening for one of the cylinders. The problem is that when I adjust the points to open for this lobe.... the points then don't close on the opposite lobe. I have spent ages trying to make an adjustment with no luck.... am I on the right track here?

btw I'm using a new set of points.