Ok I have a 90 mustang engine(302) set up on points style dist. and carbed. It runs fine when the distributor is in and barely tightened, but when you tighten down the bolt that holds the dist in place the engine stalls. I thought it could be binding but when it's loose and running good, it will also stall if you put a little pressure on it toward the passenger side, not a lot, just a finger on it pushing that way will stall the engine. The dist looks new, has a new gear and shaft on it, and a new cap. It's all hooked up right obviously because it runs perfectly when it's loose. Any idea what the problem could be?

 

probaly a ground some where..trash it get a msd, accell, mallory...etc..it will will 10 times better with much easier start ups and probaly better gas milage and definely better performance....points are 1960;s techonolgy

 

Yup points are garbage and will hurt perfomance above 5000 rpm, they bounce. It could be a ground but it also could be a bent shaft. Get a new MSD dist. and convert to full electronic ignition it will run better.