Electrical Fire----NOW WHAT?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
I have a vague memory of an "Encyclopedia" salesman at the door, that was the last time I saw my mom. We had these fat books but no more mom. I think we did ok.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2017
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What is "N-SI-KLO-PEE-D-YA" you speak of? Please do not use words that are no longer in existents. I tried to look up "encyclopedia" all I got was "No longer exist."
I have a vague memory of an "Encyclopedia" salesman at the door, that was the last time I saw my mom. We had these fat books but no more mom. I think we did ok.
I have a vague memory of an "Encyclopedia" salesman at the door, that was the last time I saw my mom. We had these fat books but no more mom. I think we did ok.
What in the world?
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I have never seen points heating up to be a cause. I have seen them make it run ruff if pitted and out of adjustment.
Now a condenser is a different story so changing that may help.
If still using points I would look into a Pertronix Performance Products kit that replaces points so no need to deal with them again.
Just what I would do is all.
Dave ----
Now a condenser is a different story so changing that may help.
If still using points I would look into a Pertronix Performance Products kit that replaces points so no need to deal with them again.
Just what I would do is all.
Dave ----
See my pictures of the points I took out....
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Those old points were toast. 38 is too high which means the points aren't opening enough. You see, Dwell is the amount of time the points are "closed" and the coil is saturating. Measured in degrees of Dizzy rotation. So a high dwell number means the points are staying closed too long. Ford always listed 30 degrees for a V8. GM always said 28-32. So if you adjust to 29,30, or 31 that would be fine. One trick you might try is with a helper.
Have the helper crank the engine while you are adjusting the points. WATCH OUT FOR THE FAN! Use 2 screwdrivers. One for adjusting and the 2nd to tighten the point's screws once you got them adjusted and are holding them there. As the engine is spinning over the dwell meter's needle will bounce back and forth about 15 degrees or so. The middle of the bounce sweep is where the points are adjusted at that moment. So as the helper is spinning the engine over adjust the points so 30 is in the middle of the bounce. Hold the points there, tighten both of the screws, then check the dwell with the engine idling. It will sound a lot better than your video above. Also double check the timing after you get the points adjusted. Adjusting the points changes the timing.
Have the helper crank the engine while you are adjusting the points. WATCH OUT FOR THE FAN! Use 2 screwdrivers. One for adjusting and the 2nd to tighten the point's screws once you got them adjusted and are holding them there. As the engine is spinning over the dwell meter's needle will bounce back and forth about 15 degrees or so. The middle of the bounce sweep is where the points are adjusted at that moment. So as the helper is spinning the engine over adjust the points so 30 is in the middle of the bounce. Hold the points there, tighten both of the screws, then check the dwell with the engine idling. It will sound a lot better than your video above. Also double check the timing after you get the points adjusted. Adjusting the points changes the timing.
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Senior User
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Also, the points set I installed was a flat faced contact. Hope that was alright....
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Senior User
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Those old points were toast. 38 is too high which means the points aren't opening enough. You see, Dwell is the amount of time the points are "closed" and the coil is saturating. Measured in degrees of Dizzy rotation. So a high dwell number means the points are staying closed too long. Ford always listed 30 degrees for a V8. GM always said 28-32. So if you adjust to 29,30, or 31 that would be fine. One trick you might try is with a helper.
Have the helper crank the engine while you are adjusting the points. WATCH OUT FOR THE FAN! Use 2 screwdrivers. One for adjusting and the 2nd to tighten the point's screws once you got them adjusted and are holding them there. As the engine is spinning over the dwell meter's needle will bounce back and forth about 15 degrees or so. The middle of the bounce sweep is where the points are adjusted at that moment. So as the helper is spinning the engine over adjust the points so 30 is in the middle of the bounce. Hold the points there, tighten the screws, then check the dwell with the engine idling. It will sound a lot better than your video above.
Have the helper crank the engine while you are adjusting the points. WATCH OUT FOR THE FAN! Use 2 screwdrivers. One for adjusting and the 2nd to tighten the point's screws once you got them adjusted and are holding them there. As the engine is spinning over the dwell meter's needle will bounce back and forth about 15 degrees or so. The middle of the bounce sweep is where the points are adjusted at that moment. So as the helper is spinning the engine over adjust the points so 30 is in the middle of the bounce. Hold the points there, tighten the screws, then check the dwell with the engine idling. It will sound a lot better than your video above.
So, if I'm understanding you correctly, I'm actually setting the Dwell and NOT the Points Gap. I read that somewhere else while trying to figure out what to do about that high Dwell number. From what I've read so far, the Dwell is more important than the Points Gap for performance (well, y'all have seen the truck and she ain't for racing...) but PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong on this. I might be 47, but I am a total Newbie to all of this stuff. I also read ( and successfully tried) to set the timing using a jar of water. That was a pretty neat trick too.
The Wife is out driving the truck right now and the motor will be too hot to touch for a while tonight so I'll get her to help me with your suggestion tomorrow and post the results....
Thanks again!
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Adjusting the points adjusts the dwell. The dwell now is showing the points are set too closed. So adjust the points more open so the dwell is about 30.
BTW, did you know to put a little dab of grease under the point's rubbing block?
BTW, did you know to put a little dab of grease under the point's rubbing block?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Setting points with a feeler gauge or matchbook cover is just to get the damn thing to start, it's not a final adjustment. The dwell is what counts. Adjust the gap as required to achieve the specified dwell, and disregard the actual gap measurement after that.
New points will tend to wear in the first 50 miles or so. The rubbing block will wear slightly, so re-set the dwell at this time and they will have settled in for the long haul. Be sure to use a small amount of cam grease.
New points will tend to wear in the first 50 miles or so. The rubbing block will wear slightly, so re-set the dwell at this time and they will have settled in for the long haul. Be sure to use a small amount of cam grease.
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Also, I did NOT know about putting grease on the rubbing block. Whoops!
I'll do that to tomorrow.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 101
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Setting points with a feeler gauge or matchbook cover is just to get the damn thing to start, it's not a final adjustment. The dwell is what counts. Adjust the gap as required to achieve the specified dwell, and disregard the actual gap measurement after that.
New points will tend to wear in the first 50 miles or so. The rubbing block will wear slightly, so re-set the dwell at this time and they will have settled in for the long haul. Be sure to use a small amount of cam grease.
New points will tend to wear in the first 50 miles or so. The rubbing block will wear slightly, so re-set the dwell at this time and they will have settled in for the long haul. Be sure to use a small amount of cam grease.
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Did some reading yesterday and this morning a few videos on the carb running rich. I backed out both adjustment screws (one on each side) 1/2 turn. Don't know what to do now....
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Setting points with a feeler gauge or matchbook cover is just to get the damn thing to start, it's not a final adjustment. The dwell is what counts. Adjust the gap as required to achieve the specified dwell, and disregard the actual gap measurement after that.
New points will tend to wear in the first 50 miles or so. The rubbing block will wear slightly, so re-set the dwell at this time and they will have settled in for the long haul. Be sure to use a small amount of cam grease.
New points will tend to wear in the first 50 miles or so. The rubbing block will wear slightly, so re-set the dwell at this time and they will have settled in for the long haul. Be sure to use a small amount of cam grease.
Houston; We have a problem (so it seems). I set the points to 20, Dwell stayed the same. I set the points to 22. Dwell stayed the same. I set the points to 25 AND IT WOULDN"T START!!! LOL
Set the points back to 22, reset the timing. Runs fine, especially after turning the mixture screws out 1/2 turn. Could NOT get the dwell to change. Is it time for a new Distributor?