How to Set Points using Dwell Meter?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Could someone explain to me how to set the point gap and dwell using a dwell meter?

In the past I would always turn the distributor to the max. height on the rotor cam and set the gap with a feeler gauge.

Thanks!

Jeff G.

 

[wsa111]

Jeff, its been many years since I have done this.

First install the new points & make sure you have proper lubricant on the distributor cam. Delco & Ford & some of the points manufacturers used to supply this with a set of new points.

Second, set the gap close to the feeler guage specs.

Third, rotate the engine till the point gap is closed, leave the ignition on & adjust the dwell meter to calibrate.

Then crank the engine over with the starter & with a screwdriver adjust the dwell to I think 37-38 degrees, tighten the points to the breaker plate. Then recrank the engine with the starter & make sure the adjustment did not change.

If the reading is where you set it, reinstall the cap, install the plugs, fire the engine up & see the dwell, it should be where you set it during the cranking mode.

Back in the days of points GM had the adjustable points with a window on the distributor cap where you still did calibrate the dwell meter, but could fire up the engine & adjust it to 28-32 degrees on the v-8's, a superior design.

I used to put my distributors on a sun machine & run the rpm's up the 3500 distributor rpm's which is 7000 rpm's on the engine. I even bent the spring arm for more tension & even placed a piece of foam rubber behind the point arm to prevent harmonics or point bounce-float.

Read the instructions on your dwell meter & follow their advice as recommended. William

 

[addo]

Red clip to positive battery terminal. Black to coil negative. Ground out the coil-cap HT lead. Crank the motor with your meter on "Dwell" setting and read the degrees off the scale. Fluctuation (mild) is normal. Hope this helps!

Cheers, Adam.

 

[pedal2themetal45]

Becaurs the meter jumps around alittle It seams to work if you set it a couple of deg high. then start the car and see where its at. some times I've had to readjust them a couple of times to get them right..
I think if you do it with the plugs out the motor would spin over more easyly and you would get a better reading... with the plugs in the compression cause the meter to jump aroung alittle because the motor slows down under compression...
tim

 

[Anonymous]

Dwell can alter ignition timing, so always recheck your timing after adjusting dwell.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the help, guys!!

Jeff G.

 

[pedal2themetal45]

Yes like El Ranchero says when you adjust the points, eather way by feeler gage or dwell you have to recheck the timming. When you adjust the points it changes the timming.. because the points well Open and Close at a different point with any adjustment in turn that changes the timming.
tim
tim