I wouldn't pull the distributor apart.
Rallytwit said:
Quote:
pop the cap on the dizzy and see if the shaft has a lot of play in it
Yes, remove the distributor cap and look. Wiggle the shaft (the rotor) back and forth -- it should have NO play in it. If you rotate it back and forth, it will have some play normally. And if you pull it up and push it down it may have a little play
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falls on its face at that 4500rpm mark
Too much advance can cause that. Check the spark timing to see if it is set to 5-7 degrees BTDC

see
Ignition Timing