setting point dwell
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 1
setting point dwell
Ok getting ready to reseach the misfiring issues on my 360 and I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction on the proper way to set my point dwell. I just want to make sure that I have all the basics covered properly before i move on to bigger issues.
Thanks
Thanks
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
point dwell and point gap are the same thing, just different ways to measure them,, Dwell is read with a meter and easily set on a running Chevy with an allen key... on a ford you can measure dwell, but you'll have to pull the cap to set it....
Just make sure to triple check your point gap with a feeler gauge and you should be all set.
Just make sure to triple check your point gap with a feeler gauge and you should be all set.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Point gap is set with a feeler guage. Dwell is set with a meter, but it can also be eyeballed.
66Beater's Quick guide to hillbilly point setting.
First, wipe the cam lobes on the dizzy clean. then reaply dizzy grease. With the cap off, spin the motor over a few times. the marks on the cam lobeswill look like dashes or skid marks where the cam touches the points. Where the points are closed, there will be no contact, and no mark. Adjust the point gap untill the skid mark is the same leingth as the clean mark. Open the gap for bigger skid marks, close the gap for smaller skid marks.
It ain't an exact science, but I have found for me, its more accurate than setting by the gap, but less than using a meter.
66Beater's Quick guide to hillbilly point setting.
First, wipe the cam lobes on the dizzy clean. then reaply dizzy grease. With the cap off, spin the motor over a few times. the marks on the cam lobeswill look like dashes or skid marks where the cam touches the points. Where the points are closed, there will be no contact, and no mark. Adjust the point gap untill the skid mark is the same leingth as the clean mark. Open the gap for bigger skid marks, close the gap for smaller skid marks.
It ain't an exact science, but I have found for me, its more accurate than setting by the gap, but less than using a meter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 1
From: Colville, Washington
Originally Posted by 66beater
Point gap is set with a feeler guage. Dwell is set with a meter, but it can also be eyeballed.
66Beater's Quick guide to hillbilly point setting.
First, wipe the cam lobes on the dizzy clean. then reaply dizzy grease. With the cap off, spin the motor over a few times. the marks on the cam lobeswill look like dashes or skid marks where the cam touches the points. Where the points are closed, there will be no contact, and no mark. Adjust the point gap untill the skid mark is the same leingth as the clean mark. Open the gap for bigger skid marks, close the gap for smaller skid marks.
It ain't an exact science, but I have found for me, its more accurate than setting by the gap, but less than using a meter.
66Beater's Quick guide to hillbilly point setting.
First, wipe the cam lobes on the dizzy clean. then reaply dizzy grease. With the cap off, spin the motor over a few times. the marks on the cam lobeswill look like dashes or skid marks where the cam touches the points. Where the points are closed, there will be no contact, and no mark. Adjust the point gap untill the skid mark is the same leingth as the clean mark. Open the gap for bigger skid marks, close the gap for smaller skid marks.
It ain't an exact science, but I have found for me, its more accurate than setting by the gap, but less than using a meter.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
I have always set my Ford points with a dwell meter. Hook up the meter and I find it is best to have the plugs out or a strong battery, Then crank the motor and adjust the points, tighten the screws and recheck, readjust as necessary. If the motor does not crank fast you might need to set the dwell 2 degrees low. Start engine and recheck dwell. Each dist and engine is an individual and can be slightly different. In an emergency a match book cover will give you a gap/dwell the will get you home.
Trending Topics
!["Beemer Nut"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23bc5285' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Bear, I was cool and replaced points instead of dressing, got 60 miles from home and the tungsten tip came off the movable arm. What a crappy running motor after readjusting the arn to make contact (welding). Back and running after the parts store in the next town. A reason why I installed a "Delta Mark 10, man that was high tech years ago. PS, get my pictures?
.....=o&o>.....
.....=o&o>.....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Brighton, Colorado
Originally Posted by hiball3985
if you convert to electronics, keep your old points in the glove box, they'll make sure you'll get home
That little slot cast in the points base makes it handy w/a slotted screwdriver to take the dwell in or out. Provided you have a dwell meter.
I always dug those old gm w/t rear dist and the door to adjust the points while she was runnin'.
Points, Carbs, Funky wiring, Make all of these old issues a blast to conquer.
Peace
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bills68F250
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
23
Nov 13, 2017 07:06 AM
JRB64
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Jul 23, 2017 08:42 AM
Baxtjh
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jul 7, 2010 08:19 AM
brider
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
0
May 19, 2005 11:24 AM
