Dwell angle - getting it right....
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
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From: Westminster, Colorado
Dwell angle - getting it right....
Hey there....I had a few problems with a backfire that started up yesterday....So after some looking around, I decided to replace the points. The set I had in there was reading about 19 degrees on the dwell meter. So I put the new ones in and adjusted them to 0.017 inches....but I can't quite get the dwell any higher than about 24....I even closed them up a little tighter to get that high. Is this right....? Am I close enough? I was able to get a 26-28 degree reading when I did this last time.....so I thought maybe I could use a refresher course on point adjustment. I learned on VW's that only have one screw for adjustment.
Can someone with a good point adjustment knowledge give me a walk through of how thee adjust their points so I can make sure I an doing it right?
by the way it is a 1967 F-250 wuht a 390.
Can someone with a good point adjustment knowledge give me a walk through of how thee adjust their points so I can make sure I an doing it right?
by the way it is a 1967 F-250 wuht a 390.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
Meters go out of spec also. I trust my feeler gauge, it's been pretty consistent for the last 15 years.
A worn shaft wouldn't especially show on a meter; meters have dampers. A timing light tells more, the mark seems to "walk" at a steady RPM.
The point cam is replaceable, just wouldn't know where to send you for one.
A worn shaft wouldn't especially show on a meter; meters have dampers. A timing light tells more, the mark seems to "walk" at a steady RPM.
The point cam is replaceable, just wouldn't know where to send you for one.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: USA
Convert - please.... I did it... I bought the Mallory Uni-lite conversion. VERY Easy to install. My timing was perfect each time... and I gained 3 MPG!! Imagine that! The kit cost $100 bucks but the money you will save just in gas is worth it...
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
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From: Westminster, Colorado
Hmmmm.....3 MPG would put me at about 17 - 19 MPG......that's about as good as a pinzgauer! What is the current milage you are getting..and what type of truck/engine do you have?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
I switched from points to the Ford Duraspark electronic ignition system and have been very happy. It's been trouble free since installation, but I can't give you any information on gas savings. I do spend a lot less time under the hood now.
I used a feeler gauge when setting points. I think the trickiest part about that is tightening down the point screws without moving the points out of adjustment. Ideally you want to feel a slight bit of resistance when sliding a .017" feeler gauge through your points after they've been tightened. If your point cam is worn, just buy a replacement distributor from your parts store. Good luck!
I used a feeler gauge when setting points. I think the trickiest part about that is tightening down the point screws without moving the points out of adjustment. Ideally you want to feel a slight bit of resistance when sliding a .017" feeler gauge through your points after they've been tightened. If your point cam is worn, just buy a replacement distributor from your parts store. Good luck!
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by Steve_Uzi
Convert - please.... I did it... I bought the Mallory Uni-lite conversion. VERY Easy to install. My timing was perfect each time... and I gained 3 MPG!! Imagine that! The kit cost $100 bucks but the money you will save just in gas is worth it...
John
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Set it to .017-.021. Lower is better. The available dwell meters under $50 (actron) are not accurate. Use the feeler guage and if you are within 24-29 degrees call it good. Set the timing, then go for a ride, and adjust the dwell if needed.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
I'm about as ANTI-GM as you can get, but if they every had anything that was a good design, it was the window in the side of the dist. cap for adjusting the dwell while the engine was running.....
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,622
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From: nevada
i put the Pertronix system on my '72 about 8 yrs ago, and havent touched it since. (Except for replacing the cap and wires. got tired of messing with points twice a yr. i guess the hot coil burned them up faster, but not this unit.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway, Virginia
Originally Posted by baitmaster
got tired of messing with points twice a yr. i guess the hot coil burned them up faster, but not this unit.
I know this is a moot point since baitmaster went transistorized. Just figured maybe it could help someone else sometime who is learning about points.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Brighton, Colorado
Originally Posted by Bob Ayers
I'm about as ANTI-GM as you can get, but if they every had anything that was a good design, it was the window in the side of the dist. cap for adjusting the dwell while the engine was running.....
Peace.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: USA
Originally Posted by jowilker
Steve, You can buy a Mallory Uni-lite dist. for $100.00???
John
John
You use your existing Dizzy, you just gut it out and install the kit...
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