Ian - I think Mark and I have the later edition Motorcraft point plate (and mine is actually an electronic Duraspark II version). The replacement vacuum control parts we are referencing are made by a company named "STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS" - and the one I've got on the T-bird is a "VC-223". The operating linkage extending into the distributor is a formed flat  - not a wire rod.

Have you come across a replacement that looks like this? It can be disassembled and re-shimmed. 
 



 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

If You want to have a look at VC-223 and see if it is what will work on your Distributor there are all Kinds on Ebay.

  

Awesome you guys thanks so much. I will see if I can get one. I'll keep you posted. thanks a million